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The Originator at Seventy Years 








A BRAND NEW 
DOCTOR 


B Y 

R. S. DEVNEY,GD. O. 

ii 



LEXINGTON, KY. 
JAMES E. HUGHES, PRINTER 
1908 




COPYRIGHT, 19»8 

By R. S. DEVNEY, D. O. 



A BRAND NEW DOCTOR 


CHAPTER I 


D UKING knighthood’s palmiest days, when 
deeds of daring and chivalry were of all 
things most commendable, in England four brothers 
resided in an extravagant old castle near the western 
shore of their continent. They were near of an 
age, and as sons of a proud old name, kept sacred 
many generations before their day, they conducted 
themselves befitting their aristocratic births. 

The clarion notes of their hunting horns was the 
signal for many a day’s chase, and the condition 
of such sounds as attend these occasions, broke upon 
many a morning’s quietude, and were echoed and re- 
echoed from hill to hill, and many an antler’s head 
was brought home to adorn the walls as trophies of 
the chase. The boys grew grown, and according to 
the custom of that day, they must choose a profes- 

9 


A Br^and New Doctor. 


sion. The eldest chose the ministry, entered his 
profession and in days following, became a bishop 
of great prominence. The second boy became in 
after years knighted for daring deeds performed by 
might of the sword. The third son chose to haunt 
the halls of the old castle all the days of his life, 
that his posterity might for future generations retain 
the family pride. The youngest son imbibed )a 
spirit of independence. He believed in individual 
rights, and when news came to England that the 
American colonies had rebelled for their rights, he 
championed their cause liberally. 

At that time to espouse a cause of rebellious sub- 
jects, was dangerous even to the most popular par- 
liamentarians, and when an insignificant individual 
dared defy the great principles propounded to the 
English people by his Majesty, he was placed in a 
very serious and dangerous position. Having some 
very kind friends who were obliging enough to ac- 
quaint the King of his sympathies, he felt that the 
climatic conditions were conducive to his departure ; 
and thereupon, he bade his birthplace adieu and 
set sail for the Kew World. 

He had quitted the scenes of his youth for a great 
principle. He sacrificed native country, love of 
family ties, and a thousand cites dear to his memory, 


10 


A Brand Neio Doctor, 


and crossed the ocean to an unknown people, whom 
he served faithfully and with credit on the fields 
of Guilford Court House, King’s Mountain, and 
other hard fought actions. When the struggle had 
ended and the colonists were no longer thirteen pro- 
vinces, but became consolidated into one powerful 
union, destined to live through a domestic struggle 
that would test every fiber in the band that bound 
them together for the general welfare, James Moore 
married Miss Mary Walker, and they located in 
Western Pennsylvania. This part of the country was 
the frontier, and many hand-to-hand conflicts were 
had with the Indians. The sneaking, skulking forms 
were ever near them, spying upon them, ready to 
take any advantage they could see. 

The family managed to live here for flve years, 
and now consisted of James Moore, wife, boy four 
years old, and baby one year old. One day the 
savages fell upon the whole neighborhood, without 
warning, and many fell under the tomahawk and 
scalping knife. The family of Moore suffered with 
the other* f rontiei^ people and J ames Moore was 
shot down, and scalped by the heathen. His wife 
and children were taken along with the savage cap- 
tors. The baby fretted and was beaten to death im- 
mediately, while the mother was Anally burned at 


11 


A Brand New Doctor. 


the stake; her body being horribly mutilated pre- 
viously. The boy was much thought of among the 
Indians, and allowed such privileges as belonged 
to children of the chief. He was kept in the wig- 
wam of Black Wolf, who prided in his little Pale 
Foot. He adopted him and dressed him in fine furs, 
moccasins, beads and feathers. A tomahawk hung 
in his belt of wampum, and he always carried a lit- 
tle gun with him. 

Many bloody scalps were brought in and flourished 
about the camp with the characteristic Indian pride. 
Black Wolf assembled his braves and had war dan- 
ces; they broke up camp and went on long excur- 
sions ; they came back bloody and boasting ; they sat 
around fires and told stories, all of which young 
Pale Foot listened to closely. The son of James 
Moore was not now James Moore; he had become 
Pale Foot, and he grew and grew until he became 
large, weighing a little more than two hundred 
pounds. He was tall, muscular and good to look 
upon. He had learned Indian cunning and endur- 
ance, and had become more renowned than any In- 
dian of the tribe in feats of strength. He had seen 
many white prisoners brought there, but was never 
allowed to know what became of them. Black Wolf 
had taught him his artifices of war, and expected 


12 


A Brand New Doctor, 


to enlist him in service when he fought his neigh- 
bor, the Cherokee. Black Wolf expected much from 
Pale Foot, because Pale Foot was large, sinewy and 
agile and showed generalship. But Black Wolf was 
too considerate to believe Pale Foot would go to 
war against his own race, therefore he never allowed 
any remarks to be dropped around where he would 
suspicion they werei not at peace with his color. 
However, Pale Foot when returning from a hunt 
one day, passed by the ground that had been used 
that day as a tragedy spot. The charred remains 
of a human being were heaped against a deeply 
burned stake, planted on a little mound. Indian 
tracks were everywhere, and around the little mound 
circled a beaten path where the taunting perfor 
mances were executed as accompaniment to a dying 
man’s groans of pain. A prisoner, white like him- 
self had been brought in there that morning, and he 
doubted not he had terminated his existence at this 
very spot. 

The thought made him sick at heart, and he longed 
to have been to the rescue of the departed victim. 
With a resolution to discontinue life with creatures 
so barbarous, and having only hatred for his race, 
he returned to the village, intending to escape the 
first good opportunity, hut was too shrewd to appear 


13 


A Brand New Doctor, 


other than usually cheerful. A few more days went 
by and a new prisoner was brought. Pale Foot saw 
from the excitement among the Indians that some- 
thing unusual was occurring, and when he came 
among them, he inquired the cause of so much 
trouble, and was told that a beautiful girl had been 
captured and Black Wolf was going to make her 
one of his wives. Pale Foot’s blood seemed on fire 
at the thought of the indignity and disgrace to be 
forced on the girl. He went to his tent and deter- 
mined to rescue the prisoner the first opportunity, 
if he forfeited his life for it. 

When the little family group of the King came to 
eat venison, a beautiful girl of sixteen summers was 
there, sad and depressed of countenance, but she 
brightened a bit in surprise when she saw Pale Foot, 
another white person. She trembled when Black 
Wolf came in and set his eyes on her. He hardly 
moved his eyes from her face during the whole time 
he ate. The girl never ate anything though the 
family insisted, especially Pale Foot. Black Wolf 
addressed the circle thus: 

^Tale Foot like Fair Head? She good for eye! 
She be here always! Black Wolf make her much 
dress ! Sleep heap ! We take hands after next sun !” 

The girl shuddered and shrank from his direction 


14 


A Brand New Doctor. 


again. As he passed out, she looked at Pale Foot 
instinctively. Black Wolf seemed to have implicit 
confidence in Pale Foot, and for a few minutes step- 
ped outside to give some orders. The squaw waiter 
went after more fresh venison, which Pale Foot 
schemingly asked for. The moment she had her back 
turned, he looked quickly at the girl. 

^^Be wake and ready night! No fuss! Do what 
Pale Foot say when he come/’ he whispered and was 
again careless of his surroundings. 

Long after the shadows of night had gathered and 
the deep darkness was on the face of the earth every- 
where, a creeping, crawling human figure wormed 
its huge bulk into the apartment where the prisoner 
was lying between two squaws. She half raised her 
head, but at a gesture from the creeping object, she 
lay perfectly quiet. He whispered to her, ^^come 
easy. They drink medicine tonight!” At this the 
girl who had been afraid to move for fear of awaken- 
ing her companions, gently arose, and the two slip- 
ped out and away. 

Pale Foot knew his surroundings, and therefore 
had no trouble getting out without discovery. They 
tramped all night and rested only when forced to, 
because of the girl’s weakness. They rested in the 


15 


A Brand New Doctor. 


mouth of an enormous cave, where they cooked and 
ate some fowls he had shot. 

^^What your name?” asked the man. 

Janie Rutherford; what is yours?” 

^^Don’t know. I^m Indian name, hut white face. 
You teach me talk, think I’m Rutherford too.” 

Conversation was rather limited between them be- 
cause their minds were on their escape. Also his 
knowledge of English was rather limited. As soon 
as they were refreshed, they proceeded with their 
flight. They journeyed to the South, on and on, 
because they knew the savages would strike the trail 
the next morning, and would not cease until they 
came to white settlements. 

Evening came and they were within three miles 
of Fort Snyder, on the frontier of Virginia. The 
curling smoke from the little chimnies revealed the 
location of the fort to them, as they stood on the 
summit of a knob. Not only the town, hut rounding 
another nearby knob, came crouching Indians at a 
long trotting gait, with guns and tomahawks. Pale 
Foot pointed them out to his companioUj, and inti- 
mated they must redouble their speed. Away they 
went around the knob, and down into the flat toward 
the fort. The chase went a mile before any shots 


16 


A Brand New Doctor. 


were fired. Bullets whistled around them but none 
touched them. 

^^You not be ’fraid V’ he said. ^^They won’t hurt!” 
Don’t like hurt Pale Foot or Good Face!” 

The girl understood. They only wanted to cap- 
ture them. Her strength was nearly gone and the 
pursuers were gaining; another half mile and she 
was entirely exhausted. What could they do? If 
they could gain the summit of the next eminence, 
they would be within a mile and in plain view of the 
fort, and the firing would bring relief. 

Suddenly, the girl sank down and could go no 
further. The savages gave a shout of triumph as 
they closed in. They were now a couple of hundred 
yards from the summit of the little knob. The pur- 
suers were also about that close on them. Pale Foot 
caught the girl around the waist, and swinging her 
on his right hip, increased his gait until he was 
climbing the knob almost as rapidly as his pursuers. 
His breathing became more laborious, but he gained 
the summit and found the natural arrangements bet- 
ter than he could have expected. A path went 
around the side of a precipice ; a clifP reared straight 
above the pass, while below, for fifty feet was a steep 
declivity. Suddenly the cliff passage broadened. 

Here Pale Foot stopped and laying his charge to 


17 


A Brand New Doctor, 


one side^ he looked back down the trail and saw a 
dozen savages not more than a hundred yards away. 
He raised his gun and fired. The foremost warrior 
dropped, and the others came on with a whoop. 
There was but one way now, and he stationed him- 
self behind a projecting boulder. He laid his tom- 
ahawk by his side and caught his grin by the barrel 
to use it as a club. He was satisfied they were in- 
structed to take him alive with the girl and bring 
them both back to camp. 

The savages were a little disheartened when they 
came to the narrow trail by the cliff side, but came 
swiftly on before their quarry could reload. As they 
turned the projecting rock, the huge form of Pale 
Foot sprang out and the gun stock came around to 
meet the foremost pursuer full upon the chest. In- 
dian, gun stock, and some loose shelf rocks went 
tumbling down ro the bottom. 

On came more Indians, and the gun’s iron barrel 
served the same purpose as the stock. Down went 
Indian and more rocks; but those behind pressed 
up fast. One sprang at his feet, another at his waist, 
another at his neck. He flailed their arms and 
heads and bodies and threw the barrel away and 
caught up his tomahawk. That weapon descended 


18 


A Brand New Doctor. 


several times before a blow on the head felled him 
unconscious. 

The fight had taken place in view of the fort, and 
before the Indians could retreat with their prison- 
ers, the soldiers were upon them and Pale Pcot and 
his beauiiful ward were saved. 

Pale Foot learned English rapidly and married 
the pretty girl whose life he had saved, and whose 
love he had won, and went further south, to Xorth 
Carolina, and lived the quiet life of a farmer. He 
assumed the name of Abram Eutherford, and the 
child that blessed their lives by breaking the monot- 
ony of domestic tranquility, especially at the small 
hours of night, was a very likely looking child and 
was named Taylor Eutherford. 

Many days of happiness for the father and mother 
passed while the child grew and developed all the 
antics characteristic of a budding little soul. One 
year passed ; two years, then three, and the little fel- 
low had learned to walk, prattle intelligently, and 
do many wonderful things. One day during mid- 
summer, some nomadic campers were located nearby. 
They were hidden from view to those passing along 
the highway. 

Late one afternoon, when the Eutherford house 
was quiet, and little Taylor had slipped out and was 


19 


A Brand New Doctor. 


quite a distance from the dwelling before the mother 
was aware of his absence, the nomad noticed the lit- 
tle fellow and swooped down upon him and carried 
him swiftly away to his camp. 

‘^What’s that youVe got?’’ demanded his crusty 
wife. 

^^Don’t you see?” he answered as uncivilly. 

^^Where’d you get that?” 
got it.” 

^^Yes, and no end of trouble with it!” You’ve al- 
ius had your head set on a trick of that kind, and 
now you’ve got it 1 I wouldn’t be surprised no minit 
to see a sheriff ride up here and clap your hands to- 
gether and march you off to jail! You’d better ride 
back with that brat, and say to them as he belongs 
to, you found him and brought him back, and like as 
not they’ll pay you for your trouble!” 

^^Much oblige, but we will move from here to- 
night, and when daylight comes we will be many 
miles from here and wil stop in just as good hidin’ 
place as we are here. I need a chap and can teach 
him just what I want him to do when he gets bigger !” 

The two argued until the night came, and then 
took up their belongings and drove into Tennes- 
see, and by traveling at night, no one knew 
they had ever passed through that section of country. 


20 


A Brand New Doctor, 


In a few days, they were several hundred miles 
from Taylor Eutherford^s parents and the beak- 
nosed kidnapper bought a small farm, mostly grown 
up with sassafras bushes, and i inning briars. The 
child spent many unhappy days vith the kidnappers 
before he left their home. 

It is hardly necessary to say ti e father and mother 
of the stolen child grieved long and deeply for their 
treasure; neither did they leave any undone thing 
that was likely to bring back their darling. Tears 
availed them not, but they were freely shed, and 
the young lives of Abram Kutherford and his noble 
wife were shadowed for many years. 


21 


A Brand New Doctor, 


CHAPTER II 


HE summer sun is burning hot for September. 



JL Some cows are shading under the spreading 
limbs of a huge cottonwood, while the hogs consider 
a nearby pond the -most effective thermolytic agent 
in their case and churn and flounder about, sending 
great clouds of the muddy compound to the surface, 
but the ugliness of the water and the mud admixture 
is to their liking. 

The mercury is hanging tenaciously about ninety- 
eight degrees. It is two o’clock in the afternoon, 
and the neighborhood boys are getting a respite on 
Saturday levening. The cracking of their small 
guns has already begun in one direction, to be an- 
swered in another. Their loud shouts announce that 
the frog-hunt has begun. 

All this merriment wafts over the corn tassels as 
so much gall to a small urchin in the middle of his 
corn row, who stops a second and thinks and sighs. 
He has worked every day this week, early and late, 
and hard too. Other boys don’t work on Saturday 
evening, don’t work so hard, so early, nor so late. 


22 


A Brand New Doctor. 


Other boys sell a pig, a colt, sometimes raise tobacco 
of their own and John Flynn owns a pony. Jerry 
Barnett, George Ewing, Sam Curry and many other 
boys have nice guns, and Clyde Russell — why his 
stock of parental donations are complete, but then 
his papa is rich, and I — well! A shout from the 
other end, followed by a motion of ^^Puddin’’ Blair’s 
sombrero thitherward, was the signal for immediate 
action. The inspiration was so immediate that ^^Old' 
Moll,” the plowmare, lifted the plow clear of the 
ground several times before they rounded the end, 
and to revenge herself, bit off several corn-stalks to 
chew along the way. 

The boy wonders if he loitered as much as five 
minutes in meditation. Well, it doesn’t make so 
much difference how many minutes when the task- 
master is exacting, unreasonable and unprincipled. 
Many orphans whose ancestors were reduced to pov- 
erty before they had been laid to rest have been 
so thrust on the cold world, each little life vibrating 
with the love God gave it, effervescing in its fulness, 
only to be requited by such cruel returns as the sel- 
fish bondsman alone can give. Again, the boy is loth 
to question the judiciousness of many of Puddin 
Blair’s acts, although they accorded in full sympathy 
with the beak-nosed, shaggy-browed, snaggle-toothed, 


23 


A Brand New Doctor, 


florid-compieeted ^^^Puddin BlaiP’ now rendered 
doubly florid and severe, as he stepped up to the 
alarmed boy and frailed his naked limbs ^^Just to 
keep him in mind of work/’ 

^^Now step up, consoun you, and don’t you think 
I aint watchin you” was ^Tuddin’s parting unjunc- 
tion as the cast-off moved away, half blind with tears, 
dust and heat. 

His spirit was bowed lower with mortiflcation, 
not simply because he had been chastised but because 
he was treated as a brute, and instead of receiving 
such parental tendernesses and solicitations relative 
to their child’s happiness and usefulness, he under- 
went ^the Squeer’s test’ every day of his life. So 
had been his stormy life for ten long years under 
^Huddin Blair and Mrs. Puddin Blair. 

He was now thirteen years old, and known to be a 
hard student in the public school. He was a leader 
in athletic as well as scholastic attainments. It was 
in some of his athletic feats he had won the compan- 
ionship of Clyde Bussell, who sent for him to come 
over one Sunday. Clyde had showed him over trink- 
ets, presents, toys, art room, library and last of all a 
grinning skeleton which he introduced with much 
formality, stating that this skeleton two years pre- 
vious, possessinng flesh and blood, had been one of 


24 


A Brand Neiu Doctor. 


his father’se employees who had brought him many a 
drink of water at night. 

Andrew McLean never before saw a boy enjoy so 
much freedom of speech, easiness of manner, or lav- 
ished wealth. Still, Clyde Kussell knew Andrew 
McLean’s intellectual aptness to appreciate superior 
apparatuses, and took special time and patience to 
explain to him many things he had never heard of 
before, and in so doing was himself received as a 
very superior personage. 

As to the McLean boy’s fistic prowess and his 
willingness to use the same on an opponent’s phy- 
siognomy, there was no doubt, and his anatomic ar- 
rangements were just such as to render hors de 
combat any contender of the juvenile kind. This 
particular point had been more than once demon- 
strated to both rustics and urbies. He had been 
shunned as a nobdy in the district school, until 
being forced to fight or to retreat one day, 
he had disposs^sed CSiarles Eains of an 
exceeding quantity of blonde hair stationed on 
the extremely elevated portion of his craniotomy. 
This incident was accepted as an accidental sally on 
the part of the beseiged, wholly out of the ordinary 
and happening once in a lifetime with a boy of such 
small moment. But not so the victor. He had 


25 


A Brand New Doctor, 


tasted supremacy once at least, if in nothing more 
than a hair-snatching duel. There was an innate 
element declaring his equality to any, and a burning 
desire to force recognition of the same qualities from 
his companions. He had already acquired a distaste 
for future nonenity, so it is needless to say he lost 
no time in instating himself thoroughly in the respect 
of his comrades, and in lieu of a sneering remark 
a few days later, he downed his tormentor and throt- 
tled so vigorously that interference was highly ap- 
preciated by the aggressor, who was as completely 
surprised as routed. Again he had one day called 
to halt a town bully, who had been accustomed to 
‘^run the green off of hay-seeds.’’ These little affrays 
had happened in the presence of many boys, and had 
commanded for him a position of respect and admi- 
ration from them that nothing else would have se- 
cured under the circumstances. 

Clyde Russell cultivated this boy’s friendship be- 
cause of his ability to appreciate the elevation which 
wealth gives thereby feeling himself no ordinary 
factor of terrestrial existence, and at the same time, 
at their age, not to any degree degrade himself 
socially. Of course when he grew to be a young 
man of society, Andrew McLean would be so com- 
pletely absorbed in oblivion, that the world would 


26 


A Brand New Doctor, 


never know they had met. Just so do young adven- 
turers speculate before launching their small crafts 
on Life’s uncertain seas. 

If the clear eye of Youth could penetrate that 
ethereal haze of future, which confronts every ex- 
plorer, or could many, matured in years, yea, even 
the grey hairs coming to ^the Great Crossing,’ many 
many consummated plans, bringing sorrows would 
be reversed insomuch that the Paradise known to 
ancients would he regained within a twinkle and 
God’s plan of punishment for the wicked would be 
thwarted. 

‘‘Well, Andy, I’m going to college tomorrow, and 
will be gone four years. Papa says, before I can 
come back ! Aint that a long time ? I don’t mind 
it a bit — only Annis ! You know we will miss each 
other lots. She has got to be right pretty, and I 
don’t care if the old folks are -willing, they aint no 
more willing than I am. I don’t believe they could 
find another girl as pretty anywhere. If she keeps 
on for four more years, won’t she be a peach ? Will 
you go over there, and tell her I am coming to see 
them all tonight? ’Guess you aint going back that 
way? Well, all right. I’ll drive over anyhow. I 
am always welcome at any time. If you will not 
stay for supper, with us, I -will say. Goodbye ! Learn 


27 


A Brand New Doctor, 


all you can and when I come home from college, I 
might go into business and need a clerk or secretary 
or something, unless I take the course in medicine. 
Still, I don’t know whether Puddin Blair would con- 
sent or not!” 

The two boys separated; one to gloat over his ad- 
vantages which he felt sure he was entitled to, while 
the other brooded over the misfortunes that are the 
inheritance of the poor orphan. 

As for Annis Gray, Andrew McLean knew she 
had been in Clyde Bussell’s company, but then, 
there he had also been standing shoulder to shoulder ; 
and the three had contested for a reward offered for 
highest standing in class work at the end of the 
session, which Andrew had lost to Annis only because 
^^Puddin” Blair had often kept him at home. Dur- 
ing those days, Annis Gray had smiled on Clyde 
Bussell and Andrew McLean with equal childlike 
approval of favorites. Clyde Bussell had,for some 
time known of some family connection between the 
families of Gray and Bussell, which the Bussells 
hoped to band closer when the two young people grew 
up. Annis knew nothing of this, neither had An- 
drew until as much had been intimated by Clyde to- 
day. 

He pondered much over the patronizing manner 
28 


A Brand New Doctor, 


of Clyde toward him, and the air of levity he as- 
sumed in handling sacred subjects. He dared not 
dwell on the disgusting proposition that he become 
messenger boy for a — ^^Well, no! He’s no rival of 
mine!” he soliloquized, ^^What’s Annis Gray to me, 
a mere nobody ?” What way have I ever to achieve 
sufficient prominence to command the attention of 
one so proud ?” Again, that ^Tuddin’s” face flashed 
before him, and he realized it a great barrier between 
himself and success, and knew that the longer he 
remained the subject of such degenerate people, so 
long was he to be handicapped. 

But where should he go and what should he do ? 
Anywhere to be rid of that beaked-nose ! He would 
expect no promotion on a farm. He would not sub- 
ject himself arraigned along side with colored labor, 
because it would be disgraceful, but was ready to 
consider any honorable work. The city struck him 
as holding out many inducements. Yes, that was 
where he would go. 


29 


A Brand New Doctor, 


CHAPTER III 


A WEEK later, and two knights of the highway by 
chance were wending their way to a railroad sta- 
tion in hopes of securing a couple of passes through 
the inability of the ticket puncher’s line of perspect- 
ive being in their own particular direction; neither 
did they dwell on preference of passenger cars to 
freight. Either would be a god-send. To harmonize 
the transportation with the transported a freight 
loaded chiefly with cattle and wheat was waiting 
for them. One, a boy, apparently fourteen 
years of age, climbed under the cars un- 
noticed, but the other, obese and very ple- 
thoric was spied out by a trainsman who dislodged 
him. This was only the beginning of a series of 
military movements, displaying to those present the 
perserving spirit of an American charge on the 
fortifled position of an enemy, and also the stubborn 
resistance that an American makes when assaulted. 

The train was started up again, and the persistent 
passenger warned to stay off until he could produce 
evidence requisite to his being served. Again the 


30 


A Brand New Doctor. 


train was stopped, and the obese one ordered out. 
Finding others nil^ by this time, the brakeman be- 
gan a course of execution that ended in his complete 
mortification. In the process of dislodging the gen- 
tleman of the fatty kingdom, two forks of the pos- 
terior region of a much faded coat — having other 
ancient pretensions also — afforded the most formid- 
able points of attack, and laying zealous hold here, 
he threw with a surge, his own avoirdupois, in a very 
different angle from that occupied by the all-pos- 
sessed passenger. There would have been some tug 
of war terminating probably with the use of a der- 
rick but the seams holding the coat together had 
served their day and refused to work overtime. A 
sudden resolution of the threads left the same ob- 
stinate passenger sitting the rods with the same 
complacency, while the disturber of ^^pacifics^’ fell 
many feet backward, landing supinely. So incensed 
was he at this role he had unintentionally assumed, 
he ducked under the car and came up close to the 
^^hang-dog proposition.^’ 

^^You aint got any right here at all, but keep quiet 
and give me fifty cents and ride on !” 

’Haint got it to spare, Cap !” 

^^Then give me a swig from that bottle !” 

’Haint got that neither!” 


31 


A Brand New Doctor, 


^‘Then, what in the thunder are you traveling on V’ 
‘^Get off!’’ 

face is my pass, Cap, and you might as well 
go away and let me alone!” 

‘A believe you, but anyway I’ll have to punch your 
ticket!” With that he viciously uppercut the ple- 
thora’s proboscis, the prominence of that member 
inviting more specially such emphasis on his part. 
This seemed to appease him, for he immediately 
waved the cars into action, while the plethoric one 
continued to sit, though it can hardly be said with 
as much complacency as before, for as he afterwards 
said, his nose probably bled on a million crossties. 

The small passenger was treated to a few more 
stunts done by his traveling com,panion. Boeing 
tired of riding on two-inch rods, he came out and 
took berth in a car of cattle. Once the cars were in 
motion, he was stepped on and jammed to such an 
extent he began to repent the day he was born, but 
ingenuity came to his relief. He scrambled on the 
back of the fattest steer he could secure, and was 
again sitting the picture of comfort. 

The journey continued for more miles and brought 
with the miles more trials for the obese one. At 
three different stations had crowds gathered to closely 
scrutinize the unusual spectacle of a passenger sit- 


32 


A Brand New Doctor. 


ting astride a very tired steer. Another unexpected 
disngreeableness was, he had become very tired and 
sore of sitting. It had become Tmendural)le. He got 
off and thought to find better fare in a car of wheat, 
but when the car began to move, he began to sink, 
and oh horrors! how cold! He must come out from 
there, so he came back and rode the spine of another 
steer the remainder of the journey, his favorite being 
disqualified for further service. 

At last they entered the suburbs of a city, and a 
little later dismounted from their respective berths 
and together pedestrianed into the human tide that 
flows the streets and avenues of every city; flooding 
here, now, to break and flush some very distant part 
next; struggling and surging most vigorously where 
the greatest number of individuals pass at one time, 
each intent upon hurrying to a different point from 
the other. 

An hour later and the boy and man were so com- 
pletely swallowed up by the gaping multitude that 
they could not possibly have emerged anywhere 
near their entrance. They were going, they knew 
not where. They must find some cheap quarters for 
the night’s lodging. They had been warned to move 
on and not stop on the street corners by one police- 
man, while another one would have arrested them 


33 


A Brand New Doctor, 


on the charge of vagrancy, but finding that they pos- 
sessed more specie than himself, he immediately 
withdrew such intentions. 

A large sign across the street, reading BOAED- 
ING HOUSE arrested their attention. There they 
went. A little dark-complected woman nearly forty 
years old, engaged them a room, and bade them 
good night. 

^Tdl tell you Tve been a riding some,’’ began the 
heavy-weight. ^^Ho, you can use the chair,” as the 
boy offered him the only seat in the room. think 
I’ve been settin about enough for one day. I’ll have 
to stand up when I aint alayin down for a week or 
so, till these galls get well I reckon. I told that fool 
I wouldn’t turn loose them rods, and I guess he 
found out I was a man of my word. And them 
fools gatherin around me and hollerin like they had- 
n’t seen me for a long time. ’Eeckon they wasn’t 
use to seein a fellow fittin himself to the occasion. 
Some don’t know much. They aint no good generals. 
They don’t know a right smart brave man’ll back off 
an fight another day, ruthern get his head tore off, 
fur instance that old parrot-faced man that was beat- 
in you when I come along. Wasn’t he a peach to 
look at — specially when I got done remodeling him. 
Gosh! he had a bloomin nose! Taint so little now 


34 


A Brand New Doctor. 


neither! I wish he was here this minit! I’d like 
to have just one more fall out of that ham-face. 
Taint entirely quit hurtin yet where he gouged my 
ribs! but that’s all right’ I hit him a sock-dolager 
right on that bloomin beak. That reminds me, that 
crazy railroader cracked me one under them rods 
too. But I won’t forget him, and I may catch him 
sometimes when he’s wantin to go somewhere, and 
I’ll just send him on with a chug like that one he 
give me. Just ruined my coat, too! ISTo, I won’t 
forget him. But I s’pect he wished he’d let my coat 
alone too, about the time he hit the ground, Ker- 
chug!” 

^^Yes, I suppose he did,” ventured the small boy, 
who was Andrew McLean, just venturing into the 
world alone at the age of fourteen years. Early that 
morning, a traveler passing his home, had seen a very 
disagreeable looking man abusing his boy, who after 
unduring much had rebelled, and was doing his best 
in the melee that followed. The traveler went to the 
boy’s assistance and the two together bound their 
antagonist hand and foot with a plow-line, and a very 
large bandana stuffed in fauces served as voice ob- 
structor. Leaving their adversary reduced in this 
manner, the two had lost no time as we have seen. 
J ohn Dudgeon, had divided his purse — five dollars — 


35 


A Brand New Doctor, 


equally between themselves thus becoming reduced 
to the same plane of poverty. 

Aiidrew McLean’s hopes were centered in securing 
a position with some institution of education, where 
he could attend college. John Dudgeon thought to 
get employment with a broom factory. 

They retired ,and the man was immediately 
asleep, while the boy lay awake until late in the 
night. They breakfasted early next morning and 
went directly in search of work. Noon-hour found 
John Dudgeon employed at reasonable wages, while 
Andrew who had applied at several colleges had been 
unsuccessful. They had no demand right at that 
time for a boy. His quiet manner at meal caused 
his friend some concern. ^^That’s all right, boy. I 
made enough for both. Don’t you bother ! As long 
as there is puddin for me, there’s pie for you!” 
^^Yes, but I must not look to anyone else for a sup- 
port. I left home to earn my own way in the world, 
and I must have work, if it is just drawing water un- 
til I get promoted. 

A whole week went by and the lad had met the 
same rebuffs. He learned to expect the very reply 
he always received before he made application. His 
hands were rough, his complexion tanned, his move- 
ments inelegant, and upon the whole, he was con- 


36 


A Brand New Doctor, 


sidered an inexperienced country boy, too young to 
hold an office of trust. 

The little curly-haired landlady had already recog- 
nized her payee for boarding accommodations, in 
John Dudgeon, and directed her complimentary re- 
spects accordingly. Many bewitching smiles were 
tendered the broom man, and many special dishes 
were handed! him with ^‘Mr. Dudgeon have this 
dish.’^ and ^^Mr. Dudgeon, have the other dish.’’ In 
all these overtures the senior companion gloried and 
fairly bubbled over. He was specially happy when 
the widow used him as dynamo for her new lawn 
swing. This was a very delectable device, just large 
enough for two, therefore, considering the excess of 
adipose tissue J ohn Dudgeon possessed, no doubt 
there would have been a feeling of discomfort in his 
and the widow’s occupation of that swing at the 
same time, but they were not cognizant of environ- 
ments; the elixir of Love infused by Cupid com- 
pletely abstracted the victim from the field of reality 
to the panoramic paradise of the gods. Poor little 
curly-head! Who could have resisted such shafts 
from so seductive a suitor, possessing the qualities 
of roundness, redness and aggressiveness ? Life was 
made worth while in that swing with the little curly- 
headed one slightly congested while the one of per- 


37 


A Brand New Doctor, 


feet rotundity sat the usual calm of his nature. 
Like a pond or small lake protected from winds, 
dipping so deep down into surrounding; hills that 
to disturb its serenity you must throw a rock into 
it; such was the tranquil surface John Dudgeon 
presented; but break into the mild tenor of his life 
with an affront and a mountain lion would not for- 
sake his lair with more ferocity. 


38 


A Brand New Doctor, 


CHAPTER IV 


HREE weeks had expired, and Andrew Mc- 



A Lean continued a street waif. He had met 
the wise boys and they had talked to him long 
enough for him to hear their process of existence 
and receive an invitation to join them, but that par- 
ticular class of adventure was not his ambition. 
He told them he would rather go down to his grave 
^^unwept and unsung’’ than to live so dishonorably. 
But what would he do? The day had been dying 
beautifully, though still intensely hot. Fifteen 
minutes more and the sun would have retired from 
view after having exhibited an open countenance for 
twelve long hours. He now squatted on a deep, 
dark bank, and shot his farewell darts at an almost 
parched orb, infested by animate beings whom he 
had held hypnotized so long. Presently the moun- 
tainous body in the West had entirely obscured the 
magnetic face and a low rumbling could be heard in 
the distance, portentous of a natural disorganization 
of heavenly elements. The city was picturesquely 
located. On three sides were the plains; and on 


39 


A Brand New Doctor. 


the other side the knobs reared np and up until 
within a few miles, mountains loomed magnificently ; 
some coming to points while others were ridge-like, 
altogether spectral and bluish of caste. A little 
river bed wended between these hills and hillocks 
and descended on the city with great force because 
of the great fall. A dam had been constructed just 
before it tumbled down into the plains. The ob- 
struction was made for its great use to the town, 
and was built strong, but the many short tributaries 
were raipds and the main bed soon filled and fre- 
quently flooded the lowlands; still, the inhabitants 
of the city never thought once of their danger. Some 
were visiting there, and others had gone away on 
the same mission. Some were reveling in de- 
bauchery, some counting the rosary; some counting 
loss; some gain, and many wrapped in slumber 
from which a number never awoke. The rain had 
begun at eight p. m. and continued until eleven, at 
which time came a cloud-burst in the knobs. The river 
channel had already filled, and now came a fierce 
torrent down the gorges, into the narrow main chan- 
nel, converting it into a terrible seething cauldron, 
churning, wrenching, and carrying everything ir- 
resistably before it, gathering its full strength to 
center on the dam. The dam was no more than a 


40 


A Brand New Doctor. 


reed in the wind. It cracked in a million places 
and was swept into as many fragments. The tor- 
rents tumbled down, spreading over much of the 
city. As the billows rolled on, carrying many whole 
families, many were the struggles for human exist- 
ence. A house identified as a parsonage, containing 
a lone boy and a dog, was shouted at, pelted with 
stones; still Morpheus rocked the occupant until the 
water, rapidly rising, swept it off into that awful 
mid -stream current, from which none ever survived. 
A few days later the preacher’s son was picked up 
down stream, clutching a small bush, cold and stiff, 
while his faithful dog had forsaken life that he 
might die by his master’s side. 

Many houses on the stream’s edge were so slowly 
drawn into that vortex that the inmates were awak- 
ened and rescued, while other houses were lifted 
clear from their base in one hungry swirl, and the 
aroused inmates having lighted lamps were seen and 
heard floating down stream to an unknown destiny. 
An eminent physician just returning home in the 
dark, struck a light and found he was standing on 
the exact spot where his home had stood: not even 
a foundation stone marked the dearest place on 
earth to him, and out there in the dark could still 
be heard the angry swirl of the receding channel 


41 


A Brand New Doctor, 


waters that had robbed him of all that made life 
dear to him. Somewhere in the distance he could 
see in his mind’s eye his magnificent building crash 
against a jutting point of a bank cliff and tear into 
many parts, each part to go billowing farther down 
the stream laden with a member of his family, 
searching a place sacred enough to yield back to 
God the life He had breathed into it. Many had 
lost their lives in this great calamity. Hundreds 
had gathered on the shores while people and things 
were afioat — thef living hoping and struggling to 
be landed before being submerged. Deeds of hero- 
ism were performed and forgotten. All true hearts 
braved something. 

A cottage boarding-house stood on the brink of 
that churning swirl, not directly to be affected bv 
the ci*rrent but in eddy water eight feet deep All 
the inmates had escaped except one gentleman who 
was a little heavier than ordinary. He had awoke 
only when the water had arisen horizontal with his 
respiratory organs. With a snort and a bound 
which sent the adjacent waters foaming, he landed 
out in the middle of the room. It was too late now 
to speculate on etiolog}’’, or to prognosticate results. 
He must act at once and with spirit. He jerked a 
railing loose from the bed and converting it into a 


42 


A Brand New Doctor, 


battering ram attacked the door panels so vigorously 
as to induce great beads of perspiration, and at the 
same time reduce to powder every foot of material 
preventing his egress. He found the door jutted 
against a bank, and was forced to try something 
else. 

The situation was becoming serious. The water 
was chin deep, and he was forced to swim. A new 
swimming record would have been established had 
he not been so confused that his miles could not be 
registered ; nevertheless, whether it was his intention 
to establish that record or to keep busy until some- 
thing unforetold happened, either favorable or un- 
favorable, he continued his hydraulic performances 
until fatigue and hunger overtook him. His culinary 
propensities being abnormally developed, an irresis- 
table desire possessed him to replenish his gastric 
voidness. In quest of the same he swam by a large 
safe, which extended almost to the ceiling and spy- 
ing a large morsel of beef within he discontinued 
his extreme exercises and delivered himself to his 
ruling indulgence. Gourmand, In a few minutes 
he had possessed himself of the coveted meat, 
mounted the summit of the safe, and sitting half- 
bent, was soon munching away, very systematically. 
Having appeased his appetite, the spirit of resigna- 


43 


A Brand New Doctor, 


tion and love for mankind, and tilings in general, 
pervaded his mechanism, insomuch that an hour 
later, when the waters had greatly receded, and a 
company of rescuers had come to the window and 
looked in they found him sound asleep, sitting on the 
edge of the safe, as one enjoying a respite after a 
hard day’s labor and expecting nothing more than 
to resume the strife at the awakening cry of chanti- 
cleer. When they raised the sash and called to him 
he was so startled that he immediately quitted his 
dormitory and plunged headlong, and was suddenly 
lost to view. However, his late quarters were not 
so highly enjoyed as those from which he had just 
quitted, consequently his callers were not surprised 
to behold the parting of the waters and the re- 
appearance of the rather unfortunate one. The 
little curly head had come along as one of the 
rescuers, and was among the first to embrace her 
heart’s idol. 

^^Poor Mr. Dudgeon! Had you been up there 
all this time between that horrible safe and the 
ceiling ?” 

‘^Well, no. Not exactly. I reckon you’d a-seen 
some right purty swimmin’ if you’d a happened 
round here a while ago !” 

^^Why, where were you swimming? Don’t tell 


44 


A Brand New Doctor. 


me you were in th^t awful water to save some one 
else’s life when you might have lost your own! 
Noble Mr. Dudgeon!’’ And he was the recipient 
of several very affectionate love taps. He looked a 
little confused and replied : 

^AVell, I dont know about them there other folks. 
I reckon I had about enough to do in this house. 
I was swimming for dear life till I smelt that piece 
of beef — come to think of it now^ I might have 
been settin’ on that old safe all the time, but then 
I reckon I might have been taken a little sudden 
like. Still, I needn’t have got off there so con- 
foundedly quick neither. Where is Andy ?” 

^^Oh, Mr. Dudgeon, he would go out there in that 
awful water to a family of people whose house 
caught in some trees. There was a gentleman, too, 
and a daughter, and they called for help. The boys 
were about fifteen and thirteen years old and the 
girl about eleven. Their mother fell out and was 
drowned right there before their eyes. Two men 
held a rope tied around Andy and he went in above 
them and dashed whirling out to that house, and 
tied them one at a time to that rope and the men 
pulled them ashore. He stayed last and the house 
had begun to give way when he seized the rope and 
wound it around his body. As they pulled him 


45 


A Brand New Doctor. 


ashore, a floating plank struck him, and he was car- 
ried to the hospital. The man whose family he 
saved is rich and will adopt Andy as one of hi& 
family,’’ he said. 

^^Hurrah for Andy ! I’ll go over to see him right 
now !” 

John Dudgeon found Andrew McLean a little 
bruised, with nothing serious resulting. 

^^Somebody said you was dead.” 

^^Yes, so did I also hear that, but knew it wasn’t 
true when I heard it, didn’t you?” 

didn’t exactly know; I was blue about it, 
anyhow. I knowed you’d been blue ’bout gettin’ no 
work, too, though you oughtn’t to be so particular 
about that. I think if you had just one solid hour’s 
work like I had down yonder you’d have your mind 
set on something better. I was right down busy for a 
while tonight!” 

What have you been doing J ohn ?” 

^^Me? Why, I done lots of destruction, but I 
was forced to, you see. It wasn’t my wish but I 
had to smash into smithereens that door, and tore 
up our bed and turned over the safe and maybe 
more, but you jest tell the little woman I never 
meant to do it. That water was coming after me 
all the time and I had to swim the peartest kind 


46 


A Brand New Doctor, 


every minnit. Guess there would have been some 
talkin’ by now ’bout my swimmin’ sure nuff, but 
bless my smell and taste, even during the hour my 
body was bowed down under the grief and strain 
of hard work. They whispered little words to me 
that caused me to change my whole campaign. A 
man’s appetite is a great blessing. Mine has done 
me a power of good.” 

^^Why didn’t you call some one?” 

^^Didn’t I? Every time I swum by one of them 
windows I hollered and waved and some fools on 
the shore stood there and stared and pointed. I 
knowed from their looks they was afraid of me. I 
reckon they thought I was actin’ kinder queer.” 

At this juncture Mr. Wilhelm and son entered 
and rushed to Andrew, who was sitting up with his 
head bandaged. Andrew recognized two of the 
family whose lives he had saved from the waters, 
and held out his hand to them. He was warmly 
received, and they were very much relieved to 
know he would be out next day. 

^^My dear boy, we shall come to take you home 
with us; our home shall be your home as long as 
you live if you wish to make it so. At any rate, 
you must go and see how you like it.” 

don’t want any reward for doing my duty to 


47 


A Brand New Doctor. 


my fellowman. I would have felt very miserable, 
sir, to have stood there and watch you and your 
family perish when I could have saved them/’ 

’Taint no more than them beasts done me when 
I was down there lightin’ that water for dear life. I 
tell you sir, Andy is made out o’ the right kind o’ 
stuff. ’Taint nothin’ common about him. What 
yer say to that ?” 

Mr. Wilhelm grasped John Dudgeon’s hand and 
proceeded to flex and extend the forearm very 
rapidly. don’t know who you are but you have 
a remarkable face. I know you have correctly in- 
formed me concerning my dear boy, Andrew!” Mr. 
Wilhelm dropped John Dudgeon’s hand, and wiped 
away some falling tears. ^AVe have lost one of 
our family that can never be replaced — dearer to all 
our hearts than we could realize, but thank Grod^ all 
the others were saved. Bless this noble boy. Carl, 
have we a shelter for this grand boy?” 

The boy walked over to Andrew and putting one 
arm around his neck, looked at his father and ex- 
claimed : “Why, father, he can have his room right 
across from me, and he can break my colt, too. I 
don’t believe I care to ride her any more.” 

Andrew Wilhelm saw that he had in Carl Wil- 


48 



f 



A Brand New Doctor. 


helm a fast little friend if he chose to go to the 
Wilhelm home to live. 

friend/^ began Mr. Wilhelm^ addressing 
Mr. Dudgeon, have yet to learn your estimable 
name. I presume you are a friend of Andrew’s 
looking after his welfare.” 

reckon I’m one of his best. I am, sir, the 
son of a grandson of a great man. I never brag 
about myself unless I am with folks that can see me 
as I am, sir. My daddy’s grandaddy come over to 
America from England. He never lived in no little 
house. Everything was fine at his house. He wore 
fine clothes, and he was second assistant to Lord 
Baltimore, sir. You see what people he was throwed 
with. Well, we ain’t never disgraced his name since, 
and now if you are pleased, I will further ’stinguise 
you by shaking your hand, while I whisper my name 
in full — Jonathan Elihu Elkins Haskell Dudgeon. 
You see my name honors four ages of parents. 
Treatin ’em right nice, ain’t I ?” 

^^My dear Mr. K — R — R — Dudgeon. I am glad 
to have met so remarkable a personage, and con- 
sider Andrew fortunate to have so much of your 
esteemed attention. I shall now be compelled to 
pass out of your fascinating presence, but will fre- 
quently consider the deep and lasting impression 
you have made on me. Andrew, your physician 
49 


A Brand New Doctor. 


tells me you will be able to be carried away this 
afternoon. What hour shall I call for you 

^^At no hour, Mr. Wilhelm. Pardon my blunt- 
ness. I am not inappreciative of your more than 
kind interest in me, but my conscience would not 
allow me to take advantage of your fullness of heart 
for me in this case. I would not feel that I merited 
the advtanges you had given me. Sir, I intend to 
become known to the public! I expeco to accom- 
plish something in life, but I expect to earn any 
reputation I may some day possess through the 
proficiency acquired by persistent application to 
educational facilities. I shall spurn the idea of 
becoming anything by accident 

^AVhat do you say to that?’^ interrupted John 
Dudgeon. 

Mr. Wilhelm seemed to have been so surprised 
at Andrew’s sentiments that he stood most dumb- 
founded a few minutes before he spoke again. 

^^My dear boy I admire the principles you set 
forth more than most any I ever heard. I have 
always thought our country silly to accredit real 
merit to some rash lad for performing a single 
act of daring, yet you needn’t think to put me off 
so easily. What do you intend to do?” 

would like very much to secure a position in 


50 


A Brand New Doctor, 


an institution of education where I can work and 
pay my tuition/’ 

^^How would you like to find employment sufficient 
somewhere else and attend college from there 

^^Any way will do so it is honorable, that I may 
become prepared for service* in life.” 

‘^Very good! I have something for you to do at 
my home. We were all visiting my brother when we 
were washed away. lie was still in house of busi- 
ness. His wife was lost as well as my wife. We 
have prolonged our visit here. I shall call for you 
to-morrow afternoon at four. Good-bye!” 

Good-bye, sir! I can go if you have something 
for me to do, that I may be no expense.” 

^Tshaw!” said Carl, ^Ve wont have much time 
to work! Plenty other better things to do than 
work,” and he gave Andrew an affectionate wink. 

They passed out and two surgeons soon entered. 

^Woung man, I wish to remove your bandage and 
talk a little to Dr. Purdum concerning the wound. 
He is taking a course here in our college, and we 
get all information from such cases as yours as come 
in our way.” 

^^We don’t want no cuttin’ nor unnecessary 
slashin’ here, Mr. Doctor, jest fer findim out things. 
I’ve heard of you fellers before, how you chop up 


51 


A Brand New Doctor. 


folks to see what they’re made out of. This boy 
ain’t got no pappy nor mammy an’ I kindy kidnap 
both them offices. I ain’t heerd from them lately, 
but don’t believe they’ve got any chaps to spare ; and 
as for sacrificin’ and disfiiguratin’ this one jest 
when he’s fixin’ to make a fortune, you’d better jest 
wait a few years and maybe he can afford it better! 
’Spect you’d better take a pretty good slice outen 
me first!” insisted John Dudgeon as he interposed 
his bulky frame between the dissectors and their 
patient. 

^^Look here, my friend, we are going to do no 
harm to the young man. His wound needs dress- 
ing, and I want this young Doctor to watch me 
dress it.” 

‘^Well, I’ll watch you, too, and don’t you forget 
what you’ve said!” 

^^You needn’t be uneasy, John! They wouldn’t 
be guilty of trying any pranks on me. I know Dr. 
King. He is the regular surgeon here.” 

Dudgeon was reassured, but watched every step 
taken by the physicians. They discussed antiseptic 
ligatures, adhesive strips, nerves and muscles, wind- 
ing up on mention of the Levator Labia Superior 
Alaque Nasi. By this time the wound had been 
dressed, and Andrew McLean had been very fav- 


52 


A Brand New Doctor, 


orably impressed with surgery. He knew it was a 
field where gTeat good could be done. 

The next afternoon at four Mr. Wilhelm drove up 
to the hospital for him, and he was soon driven to 
his new home. The home was located out in the 
suburbs and consisted of a five-acre lot centered by 
a large stone building, on the most elevated point 
anywhere in the whole neigborhood. The macadam- 
ized driveway from the front entrance was shaded 
to the building, and on either side of the driveway 
was six feet width of cement walk. The front was 
converted into a small park, shaded now and then 
by large, decidious trees, and studded here and 
there by small evergreens. The sod was beautifully 
green and thrifty, and was crossed up in many dif- 
ferent directions by terraced walks; altogether pre- 
senting a pretty scenery. The back was divided into 
a croquet, tennis, and ball ground, on one side, and 
an immense fish basin of clear water on the other. 
It is here we leave Andrew McLean to pursue his 
pleasures, exercises and struggles for knowledge. 

Ilis preceptor was thorough and exacting, but was 
highly pleased with his new charge. Thei three 
boys and girls shared equally in labor, sport and 
parental affection. They were soon entered into 
college and graduated in due course. Andrew gave 


53 


A Brand New Doctor, 


his individual note for tuition. He would enter 
under no other circumstances. 

Granville Rudolph was the financier and business 
manager of the institution ; and finding he could in 
no way induce Andrew to take Mr. Wilhelm as 
security on his note, reasoned that he would issue 
the note to him individually, and at some close time 
harass Andrew until Mr. Wilhelm got note of it 
and paid it off. Granville Rudolph was a man fifty 
years old, a lawyer, a money gobbler, and a man 
void of principle. He stood five feet ten inches, 
and looked a rascal from head to foot, and then 
back again. He was one of those admixtures of the 
mental and billions temperaments, rather angular of 
frame, sandy of complexion and bald of head, carry- 
ing in his visual cavities two gray orbs, shaded by 
two shaggy over-hanging brows. The eyes were 
piercing and the pupils had contracted on all sub- 
jects except one — money. He accepted the policy. 
^^The end justifies the means.’’ He was hated by 
many, nor was he loved at all. When his debtors 
were least able to pay him he needed his money the 
most — a veritable Shylock of the modern day. The 
most lamentable fact is that all classes are infected 
by these contaminating toads. If they would only 
exist in their proper zone, there would be peace on 


54 


A Brand Nevj Doctor. 


earth and good will to all men. However, ^^His 
Satanic Majesty’’ and his extra force on duty would 
be dripping with perspiration. There is only one 
real advantage in living in the world with sharks 
of this type. It gives up a very high appreciation 
of the truly good who forgive our excuseable debts 
as they expect to be forgiven theirs in Eternity. 

Judging from his career though, you would hardly 
accuse Granville Rudolph of ever reflecting on so 
solemn a subject, so unfavorable for flnancial re- 
turns, — too much valuable time lost. The forehead 
frowned, and the shaggy brows preponderated more 
than usual; not because he was reflecting on the 
wails of the poor whom he had foreclosed. Oh, no! 
they had been disposed of. It was those claims 
holding judgment against him that held his atten- 
tion; also, into what next victim would he sink his 
talons. 

Five years had passed since Andrew McLean had 
left his country home. Still, things continued as 
serenely stupid as always. ^Tuddin” Blair now 
cultivated the corn, and he and Mrs. Puddin were 
compelled to vent their spleen on each other. Fre- 
quently could be heard the bang and clatter of 
skilets and frying-pans as they missed their mark 
and struck the wall to drop on the naked floor, where 


55 


A Brand New Doctor, 


they executed a Virginia reel. The boy was sorely 
needed. His services had gotten to be very valuable 
before he had absconded, and then it was a pity to 
have no common recipient of so much parental 
biliousness. 

Annis Gray had heard of his runaway and 
laughed. She was glad for him, knowing he could 
be in no worse condition wherever he went. There 
was much laughter concerning a particular plight 
Puddin Blair had been found in, at one time, rag- 
ing to the core, but perfectly bound and gagged. 
When liberated from his bonds he let loose such a 
volley of profanity, which together with the unusual 
pufEness of his face, made him hideous and un- 
comely in the extreme. His rescuers repented of 
their humane interference so heartily that they 
turned and walked away from him entirely dis- 
gusted, never inquiring the cause of his present 
dilemna. If this family of life-long disruption 
could see what a different life Andrew McLean was 
following there would immediately have been an- 
other go-between as each would have accused the 
other of allowing the boy to grow up with such no- 
tions as would lead him to ruin and bring him back 
to them, a vagabond. So, such classes believe of 
ambition, and we here leave them alone in their 
blissful ignorance. 


56 


A Brand New Doctor, 


CHAPTER VI 


M ajor SAM gray was one of the most 
highly respected citizens of his whole coun- 
try. He had been elected to the State Senate, the 
magistrate’s office, and once was traveling escort to 
the canvassing Governor of the State. His dignified 
personal bearing, fiuency of speech and high regard 
for truth and veracity rendered him a general fav- 
orite, and, but that he chose domesticity rather than 
the distinction of public life, he probably would 
have acquired much political fame. Nevertheless, 
the happiness afforded him around his own hearth- 
stone at leisure hours, as well as at night, together 
with such duties as managing a very large and 
productive farm, and acting as director in a bank 

in St. L , in which he had one of the largest 

stocks, satisfied him entirely. 

Henry Adolphus Russell was one of his neighbors, 
owning a nice plantation also. As we have seen 
heretofore, the Russells and Grays were very 
sociable, and it had long been the pet scheme of 
Mr. and Mrs. Russell to have their only son, Clyde, 
and Annis Gray to some day unite their hands, and 


57 


A Brand Neiu Doctor, 


likewise the two estates. Also the bank interests of 
the two families were by far the controlling stock 
in the bank. It had never appeared to Major Gray’s 
mind concerning his daughter as anything but a 
child, therefore he had never entered into any such 
a spirit, nor, indeed, could he have, unless he had 
felt for sure that his daughter had centered her 
undivided affection on Clyde Russell. 

Yet, as Clyde Russell always cailie when at home 
on vacation, and was received right cordially by 
the ladies, he was always glad to see him, and it 
is needless to say the young man lost no time to 
favorably impress him with his actions. 

Annis Gray attended high school and colleges in 

St. L from home, so Clyde Russell never had 

any trouble to meet her any afternoon he would 
stroll over, and many hours they spent together in 
the wood’s lot, watching the squirrels eat nuts and 
chase each other from tree to tree. Sometimes, 
they were in the orchard where many varieties of 
feiit grew and ripened, striped red, de^ red, 
golder^ yellow, etc. Again, they may have wan- 
dered to the grassy banks of the woodland brook, 
and in the presence of a setting sun, clearly to be 
seen beneath the foliage of the trees, listening to 
the merry little tinkle, tinkle that nothing so sooth- 


58 


A Brand New Doctor. 


ingly gives as the continuous ripple of a little 
stream. Occasionally, a pebble was dropped into 
a little pool below, and broke up the placid mirror 
into a million little undulations, refracting the 
golden simbeams into as many different little 
mirrors, each little wavelet throwing a different hue. 
Away up the stream could be heard the clang, cling, 
clung of gTazing cows that were slowly coming 
home. Little fishes came to the surface of the 
water and nibbled at insects. A thicket of pawpaws 
clustered near by, its ripened fruit lending tone to 
the fragrance of branch mint. A lone jar-fly began 
to wheedle away on his solitary tune, and the 
couple turned their backs on Nature and took their 
last table refreshments for the day, after which 
they walked out and sat under a large pine facing 
the river only a few hundred yards away. 

The moon stole up into the sky and dimly illum- 
ined all objects, giving many of them fantastic 
shapes. The katydids were singing freely in 
near by oak, and a gentle breeze stirred the pine 
foliage, producing low moans. Many times Clyde 
Kussell had been so inspired by conducive environ- 
ments for love and poetry that he could hardly re- 
strain himself from embracing the object of his 
solicitude. Once he told her of his attachment for 


59 


A Brand Neio Doctor, 


her, and his aversion for single life, and how 
blessed it would be — just they two. 

This was a new thought for her. She had con- 
sidered Clyde Eussell necessary for her enjoyment. 
He had always been companionable and she had 
strong friendship for him. She did not know of 
any one she liked any better. Whether it was love 
or not, she did not know, and she frankly opened 
her conviction to him. Whv, who else could she 
like ? 

^^Who else would think so much of her he 
asked. It was agreed that if they were of the same 
opinion two years hence, they would be united in 
matrimony. He presented her a large ring to bear 
in token, which should be returned if either became 
displeased. During the interval of these agreements 
a river owl hooted accompaniment to Annis Gray^s 
meditation, but not until a fox screamed in their 
river bottom corn field did she regain presence of 
mind, when with a start she announced it was time 
to be inside. 

They gathered themselves into a family circle, 
and Annis performed some choice music, winding 
up with ^^Dixie,’’ after which the Major became 
reminiscent, and told of more exploits when with 
Morgan, during the ’ 60 ’s. 


60 


A Brand New Doctor. 


‘^Morgan had been captured, and our forces of 
thirty-five hundred had been broken up and many 
captured, while a few of us, about twenty in number, 
escaped South as far as Pilot Knob, Simpson 
County, Kentucky. We had been camping there 
two weeks, and found it very desirable quarters. 
The knob rounded up into three prominences. It 
was timbered all over with a variety of beech, oak 
cedar and poplar. A large spring fiowed out, about 
half way down the east knob, affording us water for 
ourselves and horses. We could command a fine 
view of the surrounding country, which was a plain. 
These lone knobs could be seen for many miles away, 
being the only ones in all that section of country. 
We threw up breastworks to prevent any surprise 
from the enemy, and reconnoitered the whole 
country. We found the community almost a unit 
in our favor, and glad to provide for a handful of 
veterans championing their cause. We recruited 
until we numbered fifty, and would have soon had 
several hundred on our roll if we had been left alone 
a while longer. 

^^One day, thirty-five of our force were out gath- 
ering in provisions, when suddenly they found 
themselves surrounded by Federal troops, and forced 
to surrender without a word or a shot. We never 


61 


A Brand New Doctor, 


knew why they never returned sooner, but threw 
out three scouts to learn the cause. They re- 
turned to tell me we were almost swallowed up by 
Federal troops on the east. It was now dark. We 
heard cpiite a fulisade about a mile east of us, and 
made quick arrangements and decamped toward the 
South. We were fifteen in number, well mounted, 
having scarcely any baggage, so were soon away 
from the range of danger. I learned since from 
one of our men they captured from us that two 
hundred strong they had quartered for a few hours 
in a farm house before marchinng on us. About half 
their number were feeding and half were at the 
house. Suddenly an unexpected attack came, and 
quite a skirmish followed. Some one discovered a 
mistake had been made, and got the fight stopped. 
Captain Owen, of the United States Army, was 
killed in the house, and several were wounded. A 
troop of calvary had come upon a troop of cavalry, 
all on a hunt of Morgan’s men, and fought each other 
until the remnant of Morgan’s men were well away 
from the scene of action.” 

^^The man-hunters were so exasperated by this 
little misfortune that they horrified the neighbor- 
hood by their criminal acts. A southern sympa- 
thizer was shot while his wife was forced to hold a 


62 


d Brand New Doctor. 


light for his murderers. She dropped the lamp just 
as she saw they were ready to fire on him, and he 
was wounded but managed to roll out the back door 
and under the house that was raised on that side 
enough for his body to pass under. He had been 
bound hand and foot and left with two executioners 
to finish him. After they had fired on him they 
struck a light again, but could find nothing of his 
body — only a trail of blood as far as the door, where 
it ended. His wife was kicked for her faithfulness 
to her husband.’’ 

physician, another Southern sympathizer, 
was visited one night by twelve men of the Union, 
and asked to go with them to a neighbor. He 
agreed. One of his sons, Thomas McLean, followed 
him out and begged him not to go, saying he knew 
they meant to take his life, but stating to them at 
the same time that he knew them all and would 
hunt them down one at a time.” 

‘^They hung the physician, and the son took up 
the trail within an hour. Before daylight his 
revolver had cracked twice and two lives had paid 
the penalty for his father’s murder. He had told 
his mother he would cut a notch for every one that 
he killed, and if at any time he was killed, he would 


63 


A Brand New Doctor, 


have his pistol sent home, so she could read his story 
from it.’’ 

^^Day after day he continued his relentless pursuit, 
until at last he had located another of the objects 
of his search at a card table at Gallatin, Tennessee. 
Young McLean’s eyes dilated with thirst for blood, 
and he threw his revolver down on the hunted 
subject, who probably had been expecting to meet 
him for some time. It happened a friend of the 
card player was standing near by watching the 
new arrival, and promptly shot him dead before he 
could cut another notch on his pistol. A note was 
tied to it, stating to whom and to where to send it. 
It contained eleven notches.” 

^^Well, father ,why did the officers not control 
the troops?” 

^^There were times, my dear, when squads would 
slip out from them and be in mischief when their 
commander slept. And again, after some battles 
the commander slept the sleep that never waked, 
and then, there goes after every army those claiming 
to be a part of it, whose names were never entered 
on the enrollment books; and such made good as 
robbers, maurauders and murderers.” To this class 
chieflly belonged the ^^horrors of war.” 

^Tt always seemed to me. Major, there were 


64 


A Modern Therapeutical Institvition of the New Science, 







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A Brand New Doctor. 


many horrors on the battle field/’ suggested Clyde 
Russell. 

^^Yes, there are many different emotions exper- 
ienced before, during, and after actions. Destiny 
seems to have you in its throes, leading you amid 
the rattle of musketry, charging the batteries, 
assaulting breastworks, swimming river torrents or 
making night detours. Once you have enlisted in 
what you consider a just cause, and you see your 
home overrun by an enemy, you hail the day you 
meet them face to face. You never consider that 
you may die; you consider how you may strike the 
severest blow and carry your point. The dying 
frequently suffer horrors on the field, but their pride 
and love of home would not allow them to come back 
to life if it were to be purchased with the disgrace 
of a retreat. Death has some sweetness; a glory to 
offset the solitude of the field and the sting of death 
when we have discharged our duty to the letter. The 
horrors here are nothing to compare with some that 
happen away. 

^^The guerrilla takes the valuables and murders 
the heads of such homes as oppose their personal 
views, sweeps the country of stock and produce, and 
everybody is on starvation. No: relic however 
highly valued, as coming from a dear father or 


65 


A Brand New Doctor, 


mother or friend, is respected more than another. 
It is on land, something like the days of Captain 
Kidd on water. I suspect I have talked enough to- 
night. You are all asleep’’ 

The young man and woman were far from asleep, 
but for courtesy’s sake he got up, thanked Mr. Gray 
for his Kentucky reminiscences, and bade them all 
good-night. 

^Tather, you spoke of a Mr. McLean being 
killed during the war. You recollect Andrew’s 
name was McLean!” 

^^So Puddin says. Andrew is to play ball with 
his college team about a month from now. They 
are going South on a trip before their series of 
college games begin, and I would like to have him 
give us a visit.” 

Annis Gray’s expression showed reflections of 
the past, and a smile of satisfaction lit up her 
countenance. 

‘^Yes, father, I am glad to hear you say of Andrew 
McLean that he is doing well. I shall be glad to see 
him again, but I would advise him not to come by 
Mr. Blair’s. They might kidnap him.” 

expect Andy is about large enough to refuse 
such conduct toward him any more. He has been 
a very much abused boy.” 


66 


A Brand New Doctor, 


Annis Gray knew this a great deal better than 
Major Gray, and also felt a great desire to see 
Andrew, although she said very little. 

A month soon rolled by, and the gi*eat football 
coach Eeed had brought his team South for training 

and was to stop over in St. L a couple of days. 

The whole city was interested in a game to enter- 
tain them. The Y. M. C. A.’s were strong as any 
other team in that section; they had defeated all 
comers so far, and had hopes of annexing this to 
their string of victories. It was known that the 
northern team was one of the best in all the country, 
but they had not yet begun to play their best ball. 
They arrived early one morning, and rested until 
3 p. m. At four, they were on the gridiron. They 
were cheered by thousands who had come to see a 
good game of football, but were, of course, hopeful 
that the home team would win. The home team 
was already running through their signals, but im- 
mediately vacated for the visitors. The home 
colors were scarlet and white, while those from the 
North were old gold and purple. 

The spectators’ seats were crowded to overflowing. 
Nine thousand were to see the contest. The Y. M. 
0. A.’s looked a little the heavier, as the Northern 
team entered some new material in this game for 


67 


A Brand New Doctor. 


trial. One athlete of five feet eight inches, scaling 
one hundred and eightv-two pounds, walked into 
the crowd and shook hands with Major Gray. He 
gripped the Major’s hand hard, and also seemed 
proud to meet Miss Gray. She was apparently very 
much pleased with him also. His face showed strong 
traits of character — determination, perseverance, 
great physical strength, and yet a kindly attractive- 
ness. He was not a giant, yet it could be seen he 
was equipped for powerful physical combat. 

^^Tell me something of your players at once! 
Who are your heroes asked Annis Gray. 

^^You see the smallest man out there? He is 
our hero. The great Saltenstall quarterback, of 
whom there is no equal. The tall man you see will 
certainly make a fine run if he ever gets into the 
open field. Some of our line men are new, and are 
on trial, but you will see some veterans come to our 
rescue just before we finish.” 

^^Aha! but I’m against you, anyhow. You have 
no business to come home and use your infiuence 
against those with whom you grew up !” 

Ho one heard this part apparently, so he became 
serious to her. ^^Miss Gray, or Miss Annis, it’s not 
that I feel little interest as you think in my early 
environments at the district school. I would like 


68 


4 Brand New Doctor, 


to enter this game, thinking you cared just a little 
for old acquaintance’s sake about the outcome.” 

“I would have that much interest in anything 
you undertook.” 

The referee’s whistle blew, announcing the time to 
get together for the battle. ^‘Oh say,” hurriedly 
spoke Annis. “They have a bad man on their team. 
He cripples so many players. He is a little taller 
than you and has light curly hair. He often car- 
ries the ball and plays behind the line.” 

“Thank you! I believe you are not altogether 
against me!” 

“Oh, I forgot; I am for the Red and White!” 
And she seized a comrade’s colors and waved them 
high in the air. 

The Y. M. C. A.’s won the toss, and had the ball 
kicked off to them. They were downed before they 
could run the ball up the field. The two lines faced 
each other, and something happened which set the 
fans wild and caused consternation among the visi- 
tors. The new tackle and new half became con- 
fused as to position while on the defensive, it having 
been agreed they should change positions at that par- 
ticular time. While they were coming to agree- 
ment, the ball was snapped and brought around 
Andrew McLean’s end, six strong, protecting the 


69 


A Brand Neiv Doctor, 


carrier so securely Andrew had no chance to inter- 
cept their progress. Moreover, a burly felow, seeing 
he was ti'.e only one in tl e way, jumped into the 
air and struck him in the stomach with his knee. 
This doubled up the end, and when he had gotten 
straight a touchdown had been made. The masses 
surged toward the goal posts as much as possible, 
and watched a goal kicked. 

There were some surprised ones over on the seat, 
listening to others explain. Different football must 
be pla^^ed quickly to avenge the fluke score. The 
score was already six to nothing, two min- 
utes after the play had begun. People 
were now sanguine over the outcome, except 
the experts, who, although not understanding 
what was wrong, believed some mistake had been 
made. The ball was kicked off to the Y. M. C. A.’s 
again. They gradually began to work their way 
dovm the fleld, making good gains on line plunges. 
They were now within twenty yards of their op- 
ponents goal line. Three of Keeds men had been 
crippled and exchanged, but better men now stood 
in their tracks. More plunges and the Y. M. C. A.’s 
were within twelve yards of their coveted goal. Th<^y 
had but two yards to make in two more downs com- 
ing. They tried around their opponent’s right again. 


70 


A Brand New Doctor, 


They had tried here twice since their first touch- 
down, only to lose ground. This time they gained 
two feet — a very slight gain, but leaving only four 
feet more to hold their ball, so it was decided not 
to try for a field goal, but to buck over a guard. 

Tackles were called back, and the ball passed to a 
tackle, but unfortunately for them, their opponent’s 
right end had divined the play, and broke through 
the line and downed his man behind the formation. 
A faint cheer from the visiting spectators rose up, 
and the bench men yelled themselves hoarse ; two vet- 
erans were sent in the line, and a different front was 
presented to the Y. M. C. As. The visitors took the 
ball now, and plunged through their opponent’s line 
for a good gain. A blonde with curly hair made a 
mad surge to catch his man behind the line, but was 
suddenly knocked flat of his back by the right end, 
and had to be carried off the field. This seemed to 
distress his comrades to no little degree, as he was no 
little factor in carrying fight to his opponents, and 
had already put three men out of the game. It was 
he who had jumped and struck Andrew McLean a 
severe blow in the beginning. 

The game was resumed with: the line plunge, 
this time unsuccessful. Left end was run around 
right end with small gain. Three yards must now 


71 


A Brand New Doctor, 


be made in another down or kick the ball. The line 
plunge would hardly be proper, as it seemed pretty 
solid just now and doubly fortified, as they were 
expecting that play. Right end was a big swift 
man, hard to tackle and hard to stop; therefore it 
was decided to run him around the other end. He 
received the ball and sprinted around left end, and 
with his interference passed the end and bolted for 
the open field. He was tackled by the quarter whom 
he freehanded and eluded, a little further and he 
met the full back, and by an elusive side jump and 
wrench he was clear again, and was racing like 
fury for a goal with two teams strung out in his 
wake. 

The run was spectacular in the extreme, the 
whole multitude cheering even though they knew 
the score was against them. The touchdown was 
made and the score evened. Clyde Russell was 
talking to some parties who claimed to know about 
the result of the contest. 

^^They are going to put in subs on us, and we Avill 
have them beat certain I^^said this knowing one. 

Clyde Russell came back to Annis just as Andrew 
McLean was taking his leave before the game, and 
heard the last of the conversation. It nettled him 
to note the expressions of sentiment the speakers 


72 


A Brand New Doctor, 


each showed. Annis looked after him when he had 
turned away, and stood up to see him after he 
had gone. 

Clyde experienced such pangs of jealousy as he 
had never felt before. He recalled when they three 
stood first in their classes at the district school, 
and Annis would smile on Andrew McLean; he 
never cared then, but now, it was out of the ques- 
tion. He had not expected to meet Andrew McLean 
again. He had most forgotten him, and then he 
was a ^^nobody’’ from nobody knew where, but how 
was it he was playing football with a college team — 
one of the best in the world ? He was compelled 
to have attended college or he would have been inel- 
igible. It was puzzling, but he would learn from 
Annis. He spoke to her just as the two teams were 
taking position for the game. 

^AVho was that you were talking with just now, 
Annis 

^AVhy, don’t you know 

^^Well, I asked you 

would have known him anywhere, and you 
ought to. We were in school together enough.” 

^^But you haven’t told me yet.” 

^^Oh, I supposed you would have guessed by now. 
It was Andrew McLean.” 


73 


A Brand New Doctor. 


‘^Andrew McLean! Vvhy is it he is to play with 
the college boys ? Because he is so husky, I sup- 
pose/’ he said, apparently more to himself than to 
her. 

^^You are mistaken. He attends college himself, 
and has a perfect right to play with his team. But 
Oh, see, they are going around that end— his end 
with the ball. Look, he is knocked down. 0-o-oh!” 

At this point, Clyde Bussell sprang upon the seat 
with the multitude and joined them in shouting and 
waving. The spectators were nothing short of a 
mob, neither could they be normalized until play 
was again resumed, and at every down with gains 
made by Y. M. C. A.’s shouts continued to go up. 

Finally there was a lull in the cheering. Hear 
the lower goal line, a Y. M. C. A. man had been 
thrown behind the line for a loss. Annis, standing 
on tiptoe, observed Andrew McLean dash through 
the Y. M. C. A.’s line, and bear a heavy line 
plunger backward before he could get started with 
the ball. Her heart vibrated with pride for the boy 
she once knew so well, but she did not cheer until 
a few moments later when he came raciug back with 
the ball tucked under his arm pursued by twenty- 
one players. People were surprised to hear any one 


74 


A Brand New Doctor, 


wearing Y. M. C. A. colors cheering an opposing 
team to victory. 

^AVhat do you mean, Annisf’ asked Clyde Rus- 
sell. ^AVhat are you cheering for? You surely un- 
derstand the point is not made in our favor!’’ 

^^Yes, and I also know who made it. I am re- 
sponsible for everything I do,” she answered with 
a little snap. 

^‘Certainly, but you will call down censure and 
notoriety upon us if you continue that. People 
have all noticed you already.” 

^^\gain, I tell you I don’t care what people think 
of m}^ cheering, and I don’t want you to suggest 
to me anything about it any more!” 

did not mean to quarrel with you. I simply 
meant to reason with you,” he answered, flushing 
up a bit. But he had seen it would not do to pursue 
the subject any further. 

don’t see how that fellow happened to get 
through so easy. I’ll wager he’ll never do it again.” 

you know he always did have a way of doing 
whatever lie wanted to. I would not be surprised 
to see him make flve or six more runs just like that.” 

^^You are exasperating, and I don’t know why 
nor what it is for, but the game has started again. 
T see they liave put in their great quarter back and 


75 


A Brand New Doctor, 


full back. You see they find they need all they 
Can get!^’ 

The ball was carried down the field by plunges 
and end runs until the visitors were within five 
yards of another touchdown, when the whistle blew 
for intermission between halves. The Y. M. C. A. 
had been saved by good fortune. 

It was hard on the visitors, but they went into 
the second half full of spirit. They carried the 
ball to the Y. M. C. A.’s fifty-five yard line, and 
Saltonstall kicked thirty-five yards. The receiver 
was downed in his tracks. Again, that dash behind 
the line, and the tackle was borne back with the ball 
for a loss that could not be made up. The ball was 
kicked back twenty-five yards. A kicking contest 
arose with the result that Saltonstall soon kicked a 
field goal. Again, the ball was kicked to the visitors 
who had begun to feel easy now, and massed plays 
that plowed the line, that hurdled the line, run ends, 
and finally wound up kicking another field goal. 
The game now ended, the score standing fourteen 
to six. It had been a rather spirited contest. 
Many devotees and frequenters were loud in their 
praises of Andrew McLean’s fine work at right end. 
They consoled themselves by saying that they would 
have defeated the visitors except for the right end 


76 


A Brand New Doctor. 


and full back, who were the best performers ever 
seen on the local ground. 

Clyde Russell and Annis Gray separated, and 
Annis left the grounds with the Major. They were 
driven to the hotel to wait for Andrew McLean. 
As soon as he had bathed and dressed, he was con- 
ducted to the carriage, and two big bays drew them 
swiftly over the ground to the Major's country 
home. This had indeed been a day of triumph to 
Andrew. His name was on the tongue of many 
thousand people in a few hours, and a few had 
recognized him as the erstwhile ^^Puddin’’ Blair’s 
runaway, but now associated with Major Gray and 
Annis, who were acting as host and hostess, his 
mind scarcely recurred to the days of tribulations. 

His present was a realization of an inward force 
having been smothered into dormancy by a chain 
of uncontrolled events succeeding each other so 
rapidly and relating to his evolution until the most 
appreciable aim in life seemed to be Fame. How 
awakened old memories of childhood’s days, bearing 
the dearest fragrance of all a boy’s dream of great- 
ness achieved and laid at the feet of his Queen. It 
would be difficult to enumerate the different, con- 
flicting ideas he entertained, but the whole flight 
brought him up to the sweetness and comfort of 


77 


A Brand New Doctor. 


childhood impulses when his heart throbbed with 
boyish emotion at the voice, smile or touch of Annis 
Gray. Now, that he was unexpectedly thrown with 
her again, the flood-tide of heart welling was arous- 
ed, and a consuming desire to possess the object now 
considered necessary to his happiness, had rapidly 
taken control of him. They alighted at the home of 
the Grays and passed some pleasant hours. Annis 
played and sang, and they sang together. Annis 
had desserts served between meals, and the old gen- 
tleman furnished some more interesting stories. 

The next morning’s sun rose clear and brilliant, 
reflecting beautifully from the frost crystals on 
bough and herb alike as so many diamonds. The 
young people met on the terraced walk and joyed 
in the grandeur of Nature’s handiwork, which 
would so soon melt away under the warming influ- 
ences of the sun. She spoke — and the chimes of 
a hundred fairies went ringing into his ears. 

^^You may not see many such mornings as this 
during the year, Andrew ! Do you think its beauty 
could be improved upon?” 

^^The inventions and ingenuities of man are al- 
most incomprehensible; artiflcialities of every con- 
ceivable form and class are exhibited to the human 
eye; the rainbow is exhibited on the painter’s can- 


78 


A Brand New Doctor, 


va , as are the clouds, the hills, the ocean, the forest, 
and landscape scenery of all varieties, but to fully 
appreciate the superiority of the Master’s workman- 
ship, we have but to visit the ocean and watch the swell 
and recede of the waves, the murmur, the grandeur 
of a still day with a rising or setting oun, or a storm 
riding majestically, and again, no sketch could por- 
tray more than the shadow to the substance; tiaro 
dazzling scenery now to be beheld — an uniimned 
field of crystals scintillating under the splendor of 
the most luminous and magnetic of all orbs, surround- 
ing the most precious pearl any explorer ever wrested 
from the great ocean beds. To-day, with the same 
spiri of affection and devotion as in the days of my 
childhood when you were my only thought, though I 
never gave any expression, I bring a measly sacri- 
fice to this altar; it may be unworthy of attention 
from you : I would bring more, I would bring better, 
but it is my all— myself. If you knew the depths 
of emotion I now experience, you would pardon me 
for breaking into the sanctity of your dear thoughts. 
My mark in life is not yet made. My future is a 
blank as yet. If only you can give me a little assur- 
ing look or word of interest in me, it will be worth 
more to me than the crown of the greatest kingdom 
alive. Do you care for me at all 


79 


A Brand New Doctor, 


Silently, she had listened to him, first trans- 
fixed with his eloquence, then disturbed when she 
realized he was bringing his talk home to her. She 
beamed lovingly on him and he felt he had succeed- 
ed; then a cloud of despair enveloped her. 

am afraid I am honor bound already,^^ she 
spoke dejectedly. suppose I am not my own.’’ 

^^Then I am truly sorry. The dearest anticipa- 
tions of a successful future hallowed with the sweet 
presence of the one I love more than all the world 
will collapse never to rise again!,. 

He turned away, completely subdued and humil- 
iated. She looked at him and his face portrayed 
his inward struggles, and she could no longer con- 
ceal her own. She caught his arm and impulsively 
cried out: 

you don’t understand! I do love you, but 
was engaged to be married to Clyde Russell. I 
never encouraged him nor did I understand at the 
time the engagement, but he is under the impression 
that I promised him. I told him then that I cared 
as much for him as I did for any one else, but I 
hadnt met you since we were children together, and I 
love you if I know what love is. Anyhow, I am so 
happy to have you near me. Knowing what I feel 
now, I can’t marry another. I will be compelled to 


80 


A Brand New Doctor, 


remain single ,and wait for developments to shape mj 
destiny/’ 

He had now taken a new lease on life, and was 
preparing to speak again when the Major walked np. 

^Must such a morning as this inspires one for 
longevity, even among the infirm. Youth lives 
without eoffrt or thought of eternity ; but are 
submitted to the seriousness and certainty of a 
crossing, only after ripening with age. They die 
then, and are entirely forgotten — swept out on the 
great sea of oblivion, and if no record of important 
deeds done in their lives are retained by the living, 
nothing ever recalls the public mind of their suc- 
cessors to their past existence, but a delicate in- 
scription on a marble tablet, which gradually fades 
until two centuries leave scarcely a mound where 
rests the remains of those who battled as valiantly 
over the field of Life’s struggle as any military hero 
that ever donned uniform. We, in the common walks 
of life, often ask ourselves, ^Hs it worth while?” 

Annis threw her arms around her papa’s neck 
and fondly nestled on his breast. 

Papa, life is always worth living with our 
loved ones near us. God is good, and we are blessed 
in many, many ways. Although the future may 
forget, if the present is properly improved, we do 


81 


A Brand New Doctor. 


noli ceaso to exist, but immediately enter into a 
happy state of endless peace, away from all cares of 
life ; we toil not ; we suffer not, for the day of trials 
shall have passed, and they who suffer much 
^hall enjoy much. The poet expresses much in few 
words when he writes: ^^Tell me not in mournful 
numbers. Life is but an empty dream. Don’t you 
think we should be thankful 

Tears stood in the old man’s eyes and he strained 
his daughter to him. 

^^The Lord forbid that I be not appreciative 
of his extenuating goodness and mercies! Robert 
E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were great Generals. 
Their presence on the field inspired the soldiery to 
ride and tramp into the very jaws of death, yet when 
the seriousness of eternity confronted the soldiers 
they forgot Lee, Jackson, strife and all, and called 
for the intervention of that Master of all events, 
breathing out in prayer the last breath of life God 
put into their temples of clay. Surely no one could 
witness the death of a Christ-born subject and not 
feel that the greatest honor is to live under the ban- 
ner of the Cross and die in the truth faith of the Son 
of God. But we seem to be digressing. I felt like 
Andrew might think me atheistic if I didn’t express 
my true sentiments of the divinity. ” 


82 


A Brand New Doctor, 


no ! I know you too well to think so meanly 
of you, Major. While I know a great many highly- 
educated people have become agnostics, I feel they 
are those who try to deify themselves, because they 
are too self-opinionated to give anybody else credit 
for being even as great as themselves, and to consider 
a Creator of all matter Omnipotent, Omniscient and 
Omnipresent, divining all purposes and intent of 
man, whom he could dispel from the face of the 
Earth with one blast of his breath, is to consider 
him with such rebellion on Earth as did Lucifer in 
Heaven.’^ 

^Must right, and if education lead to such skep- 
tical conclusions, although I deplore the helpless- 
ness of ignorance, I would blissfully live so, rather 
than be a Voltaire, Tom Payne or Ingersoll. But 
I’m persuaded it’s not that, when I note the thous- 
ands of equally brilliant and enlightened characters 
who do not seek notoriety for their oddness, but use 
their talent toward the upbuilding of society. Soci- 
ety is a failure wherever the cause of Christ is not 
prevalent. I believe I came out to say the convey- 
ance is ready when you wish to use it, Andrew. I 
am sorry you have to go away so soon. Come any 
time, and you shall be welcome here, eh Annis?” 
he is coming right soon!” 


83 


A Brand New Doctor, 


I am sorry to say my excusable absence 
from college is already taken, and I shall be con- 
fined the remainder of the session, but with your 
permission I shall be glad to come again/’ 

In a short time the driver was ready for Andrew ; 
he bade the Major and family adieu, and started 
to the city, where he was to join his team mates in 
time to catch a train going south. The driver pulled 
up as Annis cried out: ‘‘Say, you have lost a cuff 
button. Wait!” 

She came to the vehicle and handed him— 
nothing, but gripped his hand impulsively, and 
looked him in the eye. “There keep it, and be care- 
ful never to lose it again.” 

‘Thank you! It shall not be my fault if I do, 
you may be sure.” He had read her meaning. 


84 


A Brand New Doctor. 


CHAPTER VII 


S IX months had passed, and Andrew McLean 
had graduated in his literary course from the 
Western metropolis university. He had been back 
to the Major^s. Annis Gray would marry no other 
one, but must wait until she could honorably break 
her engagement with Clyde Russell. She would let 
him beocme discouraged; let him see that she loved 
some one else. She told Andrew McLean to finish 
his education, for she could love a smart man as 
easily as she could an irnoranius anyway. He now 
entered into a medical college. What would he do 
if his darling was in danger in any way from his 
rival, whom he knew would have her marry him 
under any consideration for her money, whether he 
loved her or not. He was himself helpless to make a 
decent support yet. The time hung heavy and would 
have been unbearable except for the consideration of 
the goal of graduation in his life’s profession. On 
and on the days came and went, and weeks and 
months and years, and then came the day that loosed 
the shackles of college theories and experiments. 


85 


A Brand New Doctor. 


recommending that more disease^ combating adven- 
turers, be subjected to the mercies of the public. 

That day had come on which Andrew McLean 
stood and reviewed the corridors of Time during 
his fortunate career, and with fragTant memories 
of dear fellow students, he bade farewell to environ- 
ments that had been pleasant as well as profitable, 
even though he had longed many times for this day. 
Turning from that dead past as one having viewed 
the corpse of a beloved friend, he now directed 
his scrutiny to that impenetrable haze — Future — 
that every life battler confronts when trying to de- 
termine direction, as a man in pitchy night comes to 
the crossing of many roads, seeing the beginning 
with no knowledge of the terminus. However, 
Andrew had chosen pretty well his course in life 
four years before now, and as one who had foreseen 
and chosen with precision, he located and entered 
at once upon a practitioner’s career. 


86 


A Brand New Doctor, 


CHAPTER VIII 


D E. CLYDE EUSSELL had become eminent 
in his profession from the first, being a fairly 
good student, a good general, and plenty of means 
to secure whatever he desired. He had been Class 
President in college, and as practitioner in the 
State of Kansas he was Secretary of the State 
Board of Health, and the foremost practitioner in 
his city. His practice was large, and his reputation 
was wide. Kepotism is largely to be figured with 
everywhere. Only one had refused him a single 
thing he had demanded, but that one desire was his 
whole life, and down deep was a spirit of jealousy 
and malice he entertained toward his rival whom 
he felt sure held the esteem of the one he would 
give everything else for. He had grown to love 
the girl who was not bidable to him. That which 
he had he cared not for, but that which was not to 
be his he would die for. It is no wonder that 
one grown to luxuries and petted through early 
life should possess many unenviable qualities, but 
never being refused that which he wanted, he had 


87 


A Brand New Doctor, 


had no occasion to demonstrate the evil of his nature. 
Now, that he had been balked by a runaway, it 
rankled and he swore that if ever he got the chance, 
he would even the score. He had pleaded with An- 
nis Gray, showing in his best language his love 
for her, the impropriety of her becoming allied to 
a nameless person, even if he had behaved well on 
a football field, and the poor promise of such a 
step, but she had turned from him and changed the - 
subject. It was certain she was waiting for her 
knight to come and claim her, and that, he would 
certainly do. And must he stand idly by and see 
the thing done that would thwart his life's plan ? No! 
Some means must be brought to estrange them; he 
could not take life to carry out his purposes, nor 
have it taken, but some other circumvention must 
be devised— one that would disgrace his hated suitor 
and elevate himself at the same time. This oppor- 
tunity soon presented itself as one always does to 
the wicked. He had practiced in the present town 
long enough to know the good and evil laity — those 
whom money could tempt — those to be coerced or 
intimidated in various ways, and those independent 
of all infiuences. Such a person with this know- 
ledge becomes a great power for good or evil, as be- 
comes their nature. 


88 


A Brand New Doctor. 


Until now, there had been no occasion for evil, 
and Clyde Russell was a highly honored citizen as 
well as a noble practicioner, who never collected 
fees from the poorest class. Major Gray was sent 
the papers containing editorials, praising the good- 
ness as well as the ability of Dr. Russell. This had 
been adroitly done through a friend of Clyde Rus- 
sell’s according to order. They were intended for 
Annis Gray’s perusal, and of course her attention 
was called to the statements by the Major, who was 
always glad to hear of the home-folks doing well 
away. They were destined to receive clippings 
from the same paper later with news that Annis 
Gray was loth to hear. 

^^Joe, who has rented your office next door?” 
asked Dr. Russell of a right hand man, who was 
very much at his service. 

^^Why, that is a new doctor — coming to give you 
some opposition, I reckon. What do you say about 
it?” responded Joseph Bartlett. 

‘^Well, I suppose there is enough here for more 
physicians to do— more than there are physicians to 
do it, but what is the new man’s name, and where is 
he from?” 

^^McLean, I think and he is from Chicago. Why! 
you must know him !” 


89 


A Brand New Doctor, 


Clyde EusselFs features showed surprise, passion 
and then brightened into satisfaction. What ? Had 
Andrew McLean come there to set up against him, 
to mock him, to beard the lion in his den? Thafs 
what it meant because it was a lion’s den he had 
walked into. The people were in a body for Dr. 
Eussell, and what better could Clyde Russell have? 
He had his opponent at his own mercy. Where 
else could he have him locate more at his own ad- 
vantage. He was himself safe, and he could exult- 
ingly watch the hated rival fail dismally, for fail 
he should. He would move the universe to have 
him' fail. Would Annis Gray want to marry a 
failure ? Ho, she was too proud. She should find 
out all about Andrew McLean’s shortcomings, 
through his friends as well as his own efforts. She 
should not find out he was instrumental in the 
works, though; these things flashed through !his 
mind quickly. Plans could be laid later. 

say Russell, you seem to know him, and if I 
judge right, your recollections are not overly pleas- 
ant,” again interposed Joe Bartlett. 

^^Joe,” spoke Clyde Russell in a low but forceful 
tone. ^^That fellow must be the very devil him- 
self!” I am telling you something now, but I know 
you and know any trust I have in you is safe. That 


90 


A Brand New Doctor. 


scoundrel alienated from me, the affections of the 
sweetest little woman the sun ever shone on. He 
came from nothing, living from his childhood up 
with the/ triflingest family in our neighborhood 
and became by a fortunate event during a tornado 
able to obtain the confidence of the receipient of a 
trifling favor of his, and has since succeeded in 
working this man for enough money to put him be- 
fore the public to prey on them the same way. And 
then to bring himself here to compete with me, 
whom he has already robbed of a precious pearl by 
his pretentious lying tongue, is trying in the ex- 
treme !’ 

^^You are right! It is too much to be hoodooed 
by a hoodlum out of the love of a girl, and then 
ousted from your practice by the same impudent, — 

^AVonder what he has against you 

“Hothing except I am of a family, and he can’t 
name his at all. Then I always had whatever I 
needed, and he was an envious scamp, who wished 
everybody else in Hades who were better off than 
himself. It may be he has come here to show he can 
do as well as I can, and will then brag that ancestry 
cuts no figure in a man’s affairs.” 

‘Tf he has come for that purpose, he had better 
look out for new quarters right now. I’ll tell him 


91 


A Brand New Doctor. 


that right now!’’ remarked Bartlett. ^^You have 
get these people here solid on your side, and you’ve 
got money to pull you through any kind of rut 
against him. I don’t figure from what you say that 
he’s in any shape to stem the tide he will be up 
against. We know every man, woman and child 
in this town, and when you’ve done for me whal 
you have — come to my relief when it looked like 
a pass-up for me — ^you reckon I’ve forgot you ? Not 
much! You shall know every patient your friend 
has, and we will lay some traps for him, and he 
will mighty quick be hitting the road. You can 
leave me to have him caught in jig-time. I’ll talk 
to you about him until he is on the wing!” 

‘^If he can only he caught sufficiently to disgrace 
him before the public then I shall still triumph 
over him. If such a thing happens to him, then I 
will be the happiest man living for my prize will 
be half caught, and when I again lay my suit for 
her hand, she will not refuse me. It is only a fool- 
ish fancy she has for him which she will forget 
when she sees his honor touched!” 

^^Well, I expect it will be touched, and maybe 
pretty lively too, sometime. I don’t suppose we 
want him to get too much at home here before some- 


92 


A Brand New Doctor, 


thing drops, do you ? You know the quicker it falls 
the heavier 

‘‘We must study our way carefully, you know. 
To do is one thing, and to be caught is another. 
If detected any time, it is worse than a failure; 
we are there in our own trap. But we must be 
careful. I have money in that safe at your dis- 
posal. Get it at any time and amount you may 
need with your subjects. Always consult me before 
you act. Two heads are better than one.^’ Oh, 
but say! He may need a good fee just now to be- 
gin on. I have a patient coming here one night 
next week for an operation of a suspicious kind. 
We will dress her fine and give her money to have 
the work done, and send her to him. He will be apt 
to bite at it unless he is a bigger fool than I suspect 
him to be. And while he is busy attending his 
patient, two or three of her family shall break in 
on him, and he shall then be undone.’’ 

“Good ! I couldn’t do half that well, I must say. 
You plan, and I’ll get everything to carry out your 
plans. If one way don’t get him, another is ready. 
Uugh-h-h-h! Guess he’ll wish he was doing some 
thing different before long!” 

“Joe, we must be just as pleasant as can be, you 
know ?” 


93 


A Brand New Doctor, 


I know ? Well, I guess I know. Why Good 
Morning to you, Dr. McLean! A fine morning! 
I have just been talking to some of my friends. You 
will do fine here. We will pull for you, and Dr. 
Russell won’t throw any stones in your way either. 
I’ve just talked to him also. — Eh! how’s that?” 

I know you will behave O. K. I never doubt- 
ed that Joe.” 

The two men separated in evil to meet in vice. 
Like had met like. While half the Earth’s inhab- 
itants ,are toiling laboring manfully, honorably 
day and night for self existence and the general 
welfare of the public, the other half are busy, throw- 
ing barriers of detention in their pathway thereby 
hindering the progress of time with all their pessi- 
mistic might. 


94 


A Brand New Doctor. 


CHAPTER IX 


NDREW McLE'AN was locating in a small 



r\ city distant from Chicago, and chose a 
western point in order to grow up with the 
people. He had not written Annis where 
he would locate; if he had, she could have 
enlightened him that Clyde Kussell held prac- 
tice there, but a supreme power guides the des- 
tinies of all men. The time had now come to An- 
drew McLean when he must do. The days of exper- 
imental pleasure were past and the vast realities 
were on. As he sat by his office fire next morning 
considering his plan of procedure, a tap at the 
door startled him from his reverie, and he opened 
the door to come face to face with Clyde Russell, 
The two passed congratulations, and Russell came 


in. 


^AVell, I was surprised to find out yesterday that 
you had come here to practice medicine!’^ 

was as much surprised to find out this morn- 
ing you were one of the established practicioners, 
here, as you are that I am here answered Andrew. 


95 


A Brand New Doctor, 


am glad you are here. We can be of much 
help to each other, I assure you. You are welcome 
here, and I hope you will get a large practice. Come 
around to my office sometimes. We will do every- 
thing in our power to help you get a start.’’ 

certainly appreciate all that, but of course 
I expect to build for myself, since I am here. It 
may be that I would not have located here had I 
known you had been here for some time and doing 
well, but as I say, I am now here, and to be plain, 
am not able to make many moves, so I might as 
well be content with my surroundings.” 

^^Oh, to be sure ! I don’t thirds you could beat the 
people here on any proposition. They are not timid 
toward the stranger — as hospitable a people as 
any!” So the conversation went on, and to other 
subjects, and Andrew McLean never dreamed his 
childhood’s playmate meant him harm, for those 
who are not evilly inclined never suspicion evil in 
others, especially those whom childhood memories 
connect with fondness. 

Again the new doctor was alone with his thoughts. 
A fortnight had rolled by and he had met a number 
of influential citizens, but had had but few calls. 
One night a lady came for examination and treat- 
ment. She was well dressed, but lacked the reflne- 


96 


A Brand New Doctor. 


ment of the well bred classes. A close questioning 
and physical examination showed her to be a young 
unmarried woman in disgrace. 

^^Then, Doctor I appeal to you to take care of 
my case immediately. The money is forthcoming. 
I will pay you now!^’ 

Andrew flashed up, never seeing the purse full 
of money she had drawn forth. ^^Madam. I would 
starve rather than take the money you have, and 
perform an operation so iniquitious. My conscience 
would punish me through life too intolerably to live, 
and the blood of innocent babes transferred to inanity 
in foetal development would cry out against me too 
hauntingly at judgment to invite death. Therefore, 
I would be a miserable murderous devil. But thank 
God, I can see too clearly to ever choose a course 
so disastrous. If I didn’t believe you to be igno- 
rant of the crime you ask me to be chief promoter 
of, I would show you some temper you would not 
soon forget. But as it is, I ask you to look up 
atLOther physician. There are those who would 
make the devil tremble with fear at the greatness 
of their crime. Our consultation, however, is not 
public property, as it is my rule with every patient 
I have, their talk is for me only. I will bid you 
goodnight !” 


97 


A Brand New Doctor, 


He opened the door, and let her out. As he did 
so, he thought he heard some stir in the foliage 
near by, but never gave it a passing thought. He 
went back and read more, giving no further atten- 
tion to the call. 

A few days and he received a call from the sub- 
urbs. He drew on his hat and gloves and was off. 
A short drive and he came to a cottage inhabited by 
dogs and negroes. A negro man there was undoubt- 
edly suffering from Glanders. He prescribed and 
gave such direction as necessary. He made the 
third trip and found Dr. Russell had been called 
in, and had pronounced his patient to have small- 
pox, and had hurried him off to the pest house. 

Here was a puzzle to Andrew McLean. Clyde 
Russell surely could not have mistaken Glanders for 
Small-pox, if so, he must be very incompetent. The 
outcome though, was sure to be damaging to the 
new doctor, who would be considered to have made 
so serious a mistake. Still, Clyde Russell never 
seemed to entertain only the kindest feeling for 
him, so it must be a mistaken diagnosis. Notwith- 
standing, he must suffer for another’s blunder. 

He met Dr. Russell who was more than friendly. 
^^Doctor, I understand you diagnosed Cyrus Smith’s 
case to be small-pox. It is not my business to ques- 


98 


A Brand New Doctor. 


tion your diagnoses except in this particular case, 
1 was connected. I found the patient, to have only the 
symptoms of glanders. Will you explain to me 
what particular symptom now pronounces it small- 
pox 

For once and the first time Clyde Russell was 
d-sconcerted. The keen eyes of Andrew McLean 
were bent upon him in a strong effort to read his 
very soul. This close scrutiny disturbed him very 
much. In the meantime his opponent had deciph- 
ered him. He had acted the scoundrel either on 
an old score or simply to hold prestige from a point 
of ambition. He had not been mistaken concerning 
the disease. They had both recognized glanders. 

^^Well you see Doctor, you see some of those dis- 
eases are so very much similar, we are likely to be- 
come confused and fail to differentiate. You see 
you are not to be blamed. Your experience is not 
extensive, and if you only make a single mistake, 
the public is sure to forgive you. The time will 
come when you wont make those blunders. We 
all make them at the beginning, so we need not take 
it to heart so. How, Ive seen worse many times, 
and the doctor was not severely censured. When 
I read yesterday in the ^^TIMES’’ about our plague 
of small pox, and what a terrible blunder had been 


99 


A Brand New Doctor. 


made, and how dangerous to have raw hands to han- 
dle infectious diseases, I thought I would see you 
and together we would answer it saying it was a 
mistake, that you knew all the while it was small- 
pox you were treating, but didn’t want to give the 
community any unnecessary excitement.” 

^^Look here, Clyde Eussell, you are a dirty fraud 
and a sneak! I am sorry to have come to this 
conclusion, but it is a true one. You knew that ne- 
gro had glanders, and not small-pox. You made that 
improper diagnosis intentionally to my hurt. I shall 
not say why, but it is enough! You have acted as 
a scoundrel! If it were not for making a scene 
here on the street which would do me no good, I 
think I would wear you out right this minute ! You 
infernal cheat and liar. Swallow it down like a 
man, and don’t squeal a single time, or by thunder, 
if I have to put my hands on you it will be to choke 
the very heart out of you. I^ow, as long as you 
behave toward me in the future as one gentleman 
should toward another, you will have no trouble 
with me, hut make another break, and I’ll crush as 
many hones in your skin as I can find, so help me 
God!” 

^^Much obliged to you, but I rather think you 
will need the help of the Lord!” Andrew McLean 


100 


A Brand New Doctor, 


made a step or two forward as if intending to spring, 
but his opponent had only fired a parting shot, as 
he had retired and was some distance gone already. 
He knew too well the metal of Andrew McLean to 
test it before the public eye. Some had come by 
during their conversation, but none had stopped, 
and only one other person could guess what was 
going on between the two physicians. Joseph Bart- 
lett had sauntered up behind Andrew McLean, and 
now and then heard fragments of the conversation. 
He heard his champion pinned, and saw him almost 
tremble when the new: doctor bent his searching 
gaze on him. 

^^Zounds!’’ he said almost aloud. ^^Why don’t 
he knock his teeth out?” Shoot! Catch me knuck- 
ling to such class!” Joe Bartlett was a heavy pow- 
erful frame, and considered fearless by all classes 
who knew him. He called at Hr. Russell’s oflBce 
that night. 

^^Doctor, I heard that vagabond this morning, 
and wondered why you allowed him to talk so impu- 
dently. You ought to have knocked his head off 
and made a foot-ball of it ! He had better never try 
any such stuff on me! I’ll tell you that much!” 

‘^You see, Joe, I am not looking for any street 
altercation, and let him think I am afraid of him 


101 


A Brand New Doctor, 


since he has found out there are some things he 
can’t do so well as he imagined. If that first trap 
had caught him, he would have been held tight a 
plenty, but I was afraid he wouldn’t put his paw 
into it. He never smelt a mouse anyway! This 
small-pox business he has got himself into, will put 
the crimps on him anyway, and Miss Gray shall 
have the pleasure of reading him up too!’^ 

^T’ve got the thing though that I believe will get 
him. A friend of mine told me that old Granville 
Rudolph holds a considerable note against hinx^ 
which has accumulated interest almost equal to its 
face. I believe by putting up a sufficient amount, 
Granville Rudolph will bring suit on his note any 
minute. I will let his office rent go by, and we will 
have our papers served on him the same day, and it 
will be another pretty name he’ll. get!” 

^^That is a fine plan Joe. You are full of re- 
sources. I will give money to have that fellow ruined. 
This game is everything to me, and I must not 
fail. Yes, that is a good scheme !” There is a thou- 
sand dollars in my vault, take it and get old Ru- 
dolph to fire into him. Go to old Rudolph and make 
your own propositions to him. Don’t let him know 
there is anyone in it but yourself, because you know 
I am the man that must stay out. I’ve got 'another 


102 


A Brand New Doctor, 


job to push through just as soon as this one is ac- 
complished, and one that must not be begun with a 
bad name/’ 

^Well, we will work this on him, and if he re- 
sents me or the proceedings. I’ll show him how to 
talk a little smart myself!” 

^^You will lose a renter for your office, Joe, if you 
proceed against him tool” 

^^Plague take the paltry rent of a month of two, 
but plenty are ready to move right in as soon as 
he moves out, and if he wasn’t handy for us, I would 
have showed him my teeth before now!” 

Joe Bartlett told the truth, for from the first he 
had recognized in Andrew McLean a character of 
power, and one not easily overcome in an under- 
taking. He disliked his positive way of saying 
things, and disliked his physique which was a little 
dangerous looking, but not so formidable as his own 
avoirdupois. A little spirit of rivalry, of physical 
dominance was the chief grudge. He would like to 
punch him right good, and hear him beg a little. 
If he ever had a good chance he would make him ap- 
preciate a man when he met one. He had himself 
been considered the mightiest man physically in 
that whole section of the country, and he had re- 


103 


A Brand New Doctor. 


cently heard of some of Andrew McLean’s foot- 
ball exploits, which had followed him. 

don’t think it will pay to resort to anything 
harsh only as the last card! We will try scientific 
methods first. When will yon ffo to see old Shy- 
lock, Joe?” 

shall go before next week!” 

^‘All right! I shall depend upon you.” 


104 : 


A. Brand New Doctor, 


\ 


\ 


\ 


CHAPTER X 


HE uneventful days had dragged for Andrew 



A McLean since he had come west, and he had 
not yet been overburdened with practice. The hateful 
little talk about small-pox had done him much harm, 
yet he had asserted publicly, several times, that ihere 
was no such disease in the city. People supposed Dr. 
Russell knew his business so there was nothing left 
for him but to live under a false light until some- 
thing happened some day. Annis Gray wrote him 
every week. She had read about his blunder and 
Clyde Russell’s good fortunes. She had been pa- 
tient, for she had decided long ago whom slu^ loved, 
and whom she loved not, and it matters not what 
may happen to those whom we love, we love them 
the more. 

Andrew McLean had been a very close student of 
Anatomy and Physiology, and he had thought many 
times of the human body as an intricate machine, 
self -ad justed and perfectly capable of running it- 
self. He considered man the graadest machinery 
God ever made. In fact, he was God’s object in all 


105 


A Brand New Doctor. 


the creation, and was made long before drugs were 
ever practiced, and if not capable of running, then 
the mistake of the Creator should have been pointed 
out to him, but if correct in the goods he turned 
out, then they are the same today; and if perfect 
and entire it has none too many turbinated bones, 
nor Vermiform Appendixes as surgeons seem to 
think. ISTor is it necessary to add to the compound 
of digestion. Pepsin, Pancreatin, Phosphates, etc., 
when the same elements are manufactured by the 
internal organs, and are limited only by a slug- 
gishness which a simple manual treatment would 
stimulate and thereby normalize. Furthermore, it 
appeared preposterous to drug a body to correct a 
dislocation of a limb or the spine. lie had had 
many visions of fighting disease naked-handed, with- 
out pill or powder, overcoming all obstacles scien- 
tifically by a method that was specific and unvary- 
ing in healing properties. Many days of close con- 
finement with anatomy, thoughts, visions and 
dreams, came and went before he dared experiment 
with a bran new idea along this line. The promul- 
gation of new and entirely different treatments of 
disease, had ever brought upon its author the con- 
demnation and persecution of the public, augmented 
by the champions of the old school. He would be 


106 


A Brand New Doctor, 


challenged as all others had been, but he cared not 
if he were only sure of his soundings. What he was 
looking for was facts, then sentiment, the most 
treacherous of all powers, always against a new idea, 
could hurl her most vile epithets and calumnies, but 
‘^Truth crushed to earth, will rise again.’^ Many 
hours of deliberation and some experiments took 
his time. One day he was particularly engaged, 
experimenting with his skeleton, ruminating over 
a new science that would be handed down the fa .are 
centuries to be first ridiculed, endured, then eni 
braced, adding new discoveries here from a thinker 
and there from a thinker and so on, accuniulating 
scientific facts until an undisputed champion of 
truth she should stand a colossal statute, while the 
whole world would forsake the foolish and supersti- 
tious practice of the medicine men, dating to the days 
of incantations, and talking to spirits and give 
obeisance to a natural method of combating disease. 
The day had come when everything tended to go 
back toward Nature. A tapping at the door, and the 
uncertain launcher of a new styled craft ( f thera- 
peutics was abruptly reminded that lie was still on 
terra firma. 

And more than all in that same otfi(je, where bus- 
iness had been dragging, dragging until it had be- 


107 


A Brand New Doctor, 


coTne rather monotonous lie opene'j the ^loor n 
his caller, and the forbidding figure of Granville 
T?udolph crossed the tbieshold. 

^^Good morning, Dr. McLean! Fine morning!’’ 

^^Good morning, Mr. Rudolph! Have this seat 
sir !” 

^^Well, how is your good health. Doctor — O. K. 
and having a fine practice, I reckon?” 

^^Ho, Mr. Rudolph. I have been here only a few 
months, and practice is of course not what I wish 
it to be, but I hope it will be better in a short time.” 

^^Well, I am a plain man, and time hurries me 
through formalities. I am undertaking an enter- 
prise that forces me to call on you for your tuition 
to the University.” 

have not had time to earn that much if I had 
done well, but since I have earned nothing, I hardly 
see the amount of your tuition at hand yet. I shall 
ask you to extend the time of payment” 

must say I never considered but what you 
would be ready any time I called on you. In fact, 
I think you can get it, if you haven’t it yourself.” 

^^Yes, I can get it if I call on someone else, but 
I am alone in life’s battles sir, and you will just 
have to consider me responsible for my indebted- 
ness, which I shall settle but must have time to do 


108 


A Brand New Doctor, 


so. You were not to collect until I was able to set- 
tle my own account anyway.’^ 

^^Yes, but this new enterprise I am undertaking 
forces me to collect very close to meet its demands. 
There is no one who has more sympathy for a debt- 
or who wants to pay and can’t than I have, but bus- 
iness compels me to be strict!” I pay everything 
I owe, and collect what is coming to me.” 

^^Then you will have to collect what you can get 
of mine, sir, and settle your account in the best way 
you can. I can’t do more than I can do, although 
you seem to think by bringing suit against me your 
collections would justify you. But I wish to say to 
you they will not pay out, but sue, and take what I 
have, or take what I have and you need not sue.” 

^‘Well, you see I will have to go through a pio- 
cess of law, so what I get now I will get judgment 
for, and can sell the same.” 

^^Then, I am not disposed to talk to you any more. 
You are an unprincipled dog, just what every one 
knows you to be, and if you don’t want me to do 
you personal harm, leave my room at once!” 

Granville Rudolph left, not daring to execute 
the vengeance he felt at Andrew McLean, but took 
an indirect way to humiliate him. Before night he 
had been sued for his tuition to the literary univer- 


109 


A Brand New Doctor, 


sity; also Joseph Bartlett had sued for two months’ 
rent. 

The world seemed gloomy and unprofitable, and 
a spirit of resentment welled up in his soul, and he 
walked out in search of an attorney. As he walked 
up the street, he felt that all eyes were upon him, 
ready to accuse him of dishonesty. Clyde Bussell 
had shown his hand, Granville Kudolph had shown 
his hand, and now Joseph Bartlett had sho^vn his. 
Which was the most despicable? All alike were 
hateful! As he walked past Dr. Bussell’s door, the 
three were holding close conversation, and he guess- 
ed himself to be the topic. In fact, Joe Bartlett 
exultingly laughed as he passed by. This was more 
than he could bear. He had walked by, but the in- 
sult heaped on the unreasonable malicious proced- 
ure taken against him rankled in his bosom, and in- 
voluntarily he found himself in front of that door 
again. He had once before, offered to pay his office 
rent, now he would thrust it on Bartlett. He felt 
that he must be the object of a combined conspiracy, 
and became possessed of an uncontrolable mania to 
strike back at his offenders in a bunch. He had 
failed to observe a rather corpulent figure coming 
his way, apparently, purposely to meet him, but who 
stopped and waited further developments the min- 


110 


A Brand New Doctor, 


iite he noticed the expression on the countenance 
of Andrew McLean, who had turned on his foes as 
a wounded animal brought to bay turns in fury on 
his pursuers. 

^^Mr. Bartlett, let me speak with you a minute!’^ 
The tones were more of a command than a re- 
quest, and Joe Bartlett, who had added fuel to the 
flame of passion, nudged Clyde Russell, and whis- 
pered something, and walked out to meet Andrew 
McLean. Russell spoke in an undertone to Gran- 
ville Rudolph, and the two slowly sidled up to the 
front, near the conversation. 

^^Take your money for your rent sir! Why did 
you not take it before when I offered it to you? 
You had some reason sir! What was it?’^ 

^AVe will just collect it by due process of law now, 
as the law has it in hand. When you are sued for 
so much as you have just been sued for, then I am 
boJund to have my money ftoo, since you naust 
know 

^^That is not any answer as to why you did not 
take your rent when you were offered it!^’ 

^^Well, it is none of your ^business, and I don^t 

want any of your short talk either.’^ 

can see you three hounds are determined to 
ruin me, and force me to leave here under a bad 


111 


A Brand New Doctor. 


name. Now, I call a halt!’^ Here an unexpected 
blow from Joe Bartlett took him by surprise and 
staggered him. Bartlett followed his advantage and 
was pressing him hard against the wall when he 
regained his clearness of head and foot. He was 
squeezed up by a giant, but he at once wriggled 
out of his grasp, and made a lunge, and with swings, 
hooks, uppercuts, and straight from the shoulder 
he drove his enemy to cover, soon completely mas- 
tered him and was kneeling on his chest. Two 
men raised him in no gentle manner, and his op- 
ponent was loosed on him again, but a powerful 
lunge and thrust and he was again felled to the 
ground. He clenched his teeth in chagrin, and im- 
mediately rose to the conflict again. At the same 
time the two men who had taken Andrew from a 
vanquished opponent, and gave him further oppor- 
tunity, again interfered and caught his arm, just as 
he had timed another thrust. The blow was delayed 
long enough for his opponent to mash him down 
with his heavy weight. Encumbered now by three 
antagonists instead of one, he would probably have 
succumbed, but fortunately for him another actor 
was on the scene. 

^Tools and devils! Back you cannibal heathens! 
Do you think you can eat a man, bone, feathers and 


112 


A Brand New Doctor, 


all, and all right on the street ’thout somebody see- 

in’ your tricks ? What in do you mean ? This 

here’s a civilized country, you idiots! Never seen 
such man-eaters! Beats Africa all to holler! But 
bein brought up that way, I’m kind of a man-eater 
myself! Maybe you don’t believe it?” 

He had broken in on Joe Bartlett’s two aids so 
suddenly with bluster accompanied by harangue 
that the two stood back to catch their breath, while 
the intruder proceeded to further amaze them by 
the performance of disrobing a very brown coat, 
several sizes too small for him. The disrobing feat- 
ure was the miraculous rapidity with which he ma- 
nipulated his upper extremities, reminding his spec- 
tators of an exhibition with Indian clubs. The 
exercise was brought to a close only when the thread 
binding the sleeves to the waist, already strained 
beyond their capacity, snapped. One sleeve flew far 
over the heads of the astonished bystanders. Find- 
ing his chest still a little too binded for any exten- 
sive conflict, a happy thought suddenly possessed 
him, and as suddenly he bent forward, far over until 
the tail of his coat fell over the back of his head. 
Then seizing it with both hands he endeavored to 
dispossess himself of the remnant in the manner 
of skinning a varmint’s hide over its head. IJn- 


113 


A Brand New Doctor. 


luckily for him, the two men for whose benefit his 
performances were conducted, were becoming more 
composed, and seeing the phenomenon tangled in his 
own traps, considered that the Lord had delivered 
the devil into their hands, and proceeded to 
receive him befitting a reception due his Satanic 
Majesty. Granville Kudolph gave such valuable 
aid to the unfortunate one that the coat’s tail com- 
pletely obscured his view, while Clyde Kussell con- 
siderately pommeled from behind that part most 
prominent through the brown coat, known as the 
Cerebellum. Nevertheless, this was not a one-sided 
contest, and the few bystanders who had ventured 
up, not daring to risk their lives nor limbs in the 
effort to bring about a reconciliation, witnessed 
some rather choice passes and parries. Granville 
Rudolph was hanging on tenaciously to the coat’s 
tail, appreciating the fact that as matters remained 
so, the advantage was with them, while the veiled 
prophet, becoming very uncomfortable under the 
trying conditions, wheeled himself this way and that 
way, ascribing circles and semi-circles^ with the 
tenacious Granville Rudolph, who now being afraid 
to loosen his hold, was gripping the tail with sup- 
erhuman strength. With a mighty heave, the vic- 
tim of the old brown coat bursted it from end to 


114 


A Brand New Doctor. 


end. The aerial flight of Granville Kudolph was 
discontinued with a suddenness to collapse him 
twenty feet away against the pavement curb, with 
a goodly portion of the brown coat^s tail securely 
gripped in his talons. 

With the same impulse that freed him from the 
toils of a very perverse coat, the exhibitor gave a 
back-handed swipe that almost took his pate-mauling 
opponent off his feet. By this time a crowd had 
gathered and the conflict having about spent itself 
anyway, the results were looked after. 

The brag fighter of the whole country was mer- 
cilessly whipped into submission by Andrew Mc^ 
Lean, and apologized to save himself from strangu- 
lation, while his conqueror was good for more fight. 
Clyde Bussell had a burning, swollen face. Gran- 
ville Eudolph still huddled up in a heap by the curb- 
ing, dizzy from his recent aerial fiight chaperoned 
by the whirling fiourishes of a human automaton. 
With the exception of a few special tuberosities, par* 
ticularly prominent on the Occipital bone, John 
Dudgeon remained intact — the center of much spec- 
ulation from the bystanders. He had dropped in 
their town so suddenly and presented so huge a fight- 
ing machine, as well as so ludicrous a one, that 
everybody was kept busy finding new points con- 


115 


A Brand New Doctor, 


cerning so mysterious a being. Two fragments of 
coat hung on his back and one encircled his arm, 
while the other arm was covered only by shirting, 
yet apparently a tramp in uniform ,he stood com- 
placently, the master, silently ignoring any idle 
thoughts that may have found lodgment in jthe 
minds of those present concerning his station in 
life. He could now have truthfully telephoned to 
the little curly hair the same message that made 
Caesar immortal — ^^Veni, Vidi, Vici!^^ and he 
would have been no less heralded a hero at home. 

Andrew McLean struck hands with John Dud- 
geon who had on more than one occasion come to his 
rescue, and at times when badly needed. An ofBcer 
came around and arrested the whole posse of com- 
batants. Hearby friends went their bond for ap- 
pearance at court a week later, and in the meantime 
Carl Wilhelm came over to see Andrew McLean 
and finding matters very disagreeable for Andrew, 
telegraphed his father without consulting Andrew. 
Mr. Wilhelm came immediately and saved Andrew 
from insolvency. 

When he presented Andrew a receipt from Gran- 
ville Eudolph, his self pride seemed to be wounded. 

am sorry you have found me unable to meet 
my obligations so poorly, Mr. Wilhelm, but I shall 


116 


A Brand New Doctor. 


some day be more than able, and I shall repay you 
every cent you have spent in my behalf. I am sure 
I appreciate every kindness you have done me just 
the same!^^ 


A Brand New Doctor, 


CHAPTER XI 

H enry adolphus russell, sitting in 

his private office, had just read a letter re- 
ceived from his only son and heir and was unusually 
meditative. The letter read as follows: 

^^Dear Father: — Yours of recent date received, 
and will say I was very much surprised to hear of 
the financial depression there. It is general but it 
had not struck me exactly that our bank would be 
affected. Now, I will give you some advice, if it is 
proper for a son to adivse his father. Take care of 
yourself. Take in one or two of them with you if 
it is necessary, but if not necessary so much the bet- 
ter. Do not break if the bank does break. You 
needn’t worry about Major Gray. Annis Gray poor, 
is easier won than Annis Gray rich. I am glad 
they stand personal security so heavily, as I tell you 
it will be best they go broke. I can take care of 
their pauper friend McLean, up here and if they 
get poor, my superior inducements will win for me, 
don’t you think? If you need my assistance at 


118 


A Brand New Doctor, 


any time, write me and I am at your service. 

Your obedient son, 

CLYDE EUSSELL, M. D. 

Those who have experienced the paralysis of bus- 
iness during a money panic and the many attending 
evils that go with it, can fully appreciate the gener- 
al depression of spirit. Those who have become 
bankrupt can scarcely find employment sufficient to 
live, while those who remain solvent, tremble many 
times for fear they canT weather the dreaded gale. 
Christians sometimes lose their faith, sinners learn 
to get consolation from that faith, respectable cit- 
izens are reduced to tramps, and thousands of homes 
are broken up and fathers and mothers join in the 
battle for bread, while the little feet go pattering in 
their footsteps to share in such hardships as only 
the destitute Lnow. Many little family circles 
that had many times sat cheerfully around their 
own hearths and basked in the warmth of their 
winter fire, listening to mother read or father tell 
war stories, now drew up under a roof of straw, 
a bed of straw, and walls of straw, in fact 
they now looked out places of refuge for the 
night, in straw ricks, hay ricks or any other place 
of shelter, affording warmth at night, while each 


119 


A Brand New Doctor. 


day saw the distressed martyrs of the Cross, too hon- 
orable to take that which did not belong to them, 
take their babes in their arms, and followed by bare- 
footed urchins of larger size, turn their faces to 
the south, in which direction they marched on and 
on, for no other purpose than to escape the chill of 
winter. Pathetic scenes of this kind are more fre- 
quently met with during the panics in the central 
States, as the mills, factories, mines, and all works 
close and the laborers who know but one trade are 
forced to migrate to warmer zones, where they can 
fall asleep with the canopy of heaven for their shel- 
ter. The horror of such lives, many having fared 
sumptuously previous to this, can hardly be con- 
ceived by the unaffected, neither could it be endured 
many times by those reduced to its abject destitu- 
tion, only that the meek and lowly Nazarene born 
in a manger, chose his followers from just such a 
class, and no doubt abides yet at every family altar 
where poverty stalks. ’Tis a fearful trial, yet how 
like pure gold taken from the alloy by refinery, 
emerges the God-trusting soul through that ordeal 
of destitution. Humanity presents the broadest 
variety of passions of all animal kind. While there 
are those whose lives vibrate in perfect unison with 
the Master; whose very presence is elevating; whose 


120 


A Brand New Doctor. 


\ 

\ 




breath is pure because the soul of God dwells within 
their temporal sanctuary, there are others whose 
wickedness on earth would pale into insignificance 
all deeds of valor performed by confirmed inmates 
of the very cess-pools of Hades. 

Henry Adolphus Kussell, still pondered over his 
son’s letter. The boy loved Annis Gray. First, he 
had thought his son was simply acquiescing to his 
plan concerning the union of his family v/ith the 
Grays, but since they had altogether been drawn 
into that financial vortex of failure, and the boy 
persisted in winning the girl chosen for him, he 
must see that he carried his point. Yes, Major 
Gray must not be in his combination that would 
save themselves. In fact, he was so peculiar any- 
way, that there would be some doubt as to his enter- 
taining any self -saving proposition at all. 

A week passed and the Second National Bank of 
St. Louis had been stampeded, and importunate de- 
positors had drawn their money as long as there was 
any money, and then turned their angry growl full 
upon the cashier, president, directors, etc., who had 
already absented themeslves, and employed tempo- 
rary officials. People of all kinds pushed and fought 
to draw their deposits. Many a skirt was torn off; 
many a toileted suit of hair was disheveled ; sex was 


121 


A Brand New Doctor, 


not regarded once in consideration of dollars. The 
delicate were kept back, and not a few were badly 
trodden. When the teller had passed out the last 
dollar, and gathered up the books to pass out, the 
turbulent wave of humanity immediately conformed 
itself into a seething mass of nodding, beckoning, 
shaking caputs, gesticulating hands, and grimacing 
faces, giving forth a variety of murmurs rapidly 
swelling from the many gutturials into the falsetto 
of the defrauded widow, until that body, recently 
composed of civil citizens, ceased to be such, and an 
angry mob stood there, giving forth vehement exe- 
crations. 

Denunciation of the bankers was heard on all 
sides. Such expressions as ^^Hang them ! Hang 
them! Burn them out!’’ were common. The people 
were everywhere under the impression that the of- 
ficials had saved themselves, regardless of their de- 
positor’s ruin. A bitter feeling had gone before 
the run on the bank, but of course those who drew 
their money were quieted and went away, but un- 
fortunately the masses were left unpaid; hence the 
mob-like demonstration that would have resulted 
seriously but for the appearance behind the counter 
of the venerable countenance and gray hairs of Major 


122 


A Brand New Doctor, 


Gray. He was greeted with cheers and curses, but 
never flinched once, demanding a hearing. 

^^See what the old scoundrel wants!’’ said one. 

^ ^Better be somewhere else trying to And somebody 
else to rob!’ said another. 

^^Men, women and beings not worthy of either 
name, listen ! I have something to say to you, before 
many of you good citizens are persauded by impulse 
rather than by reason, and induced by the disciples 
of Beelzobub, to commit a crime that would ever 
after bring shame on your good family names !” 

^^We don’t want talk. We want our money!” 
said one. ^Wes, yes!” said others. 

^^So would I rather have money, but I 
stand here to-day with less than nine-tenths 
of you growlers, yet a few days ago had 
more than many of you together. If it is just 
for you to want retribution of any kind, why am I 
not up in arms?” 

^^What do you mean?” asked the people’s spokes- 
man. ^Wou know you have glutted yourselves on 
our money, and are just putting up that tale to quiet 
us!” ^^That’s it!” said others. 

^^Listen! You have broken your own bank. We 
loaned our money to banks of our correspondence, 
and they could not collect it quickly, owing to the 


123 


A Brand New Doctor. 


depression of finances, although it will be in within 
a week from today. We closed our bank to prevent 
a rush, knowing we would not be able to withstand 
it until the bulk of our loans returned. The parties 
handling our money were forced into insolvency by 
our hasty action, and we will receive only a per cent 
of our loans. We thought as patrons of our bank 
you would give us a chance to adjust everything, to 
save ourselves, and save you, but you were foolish, 
and blind to your own interest. You forced our 
doors open at a very inopportune time, with the re- 
sult that many of you stand there without a dollar. 
You have forced me to sell my home, the 
shelter that was my own, and yet you say criminal 
things against us. I have had my say. You see I 
am a sufferer with you, and as such I advise with 
you. Go home, like reasonable men, and when all 
the loans come in, you shall be notified, and then 
come back and receive your per cent!’’ 

In a decisive manner, admitting no further re- 
marks, he dismissed the throng with a wave of the 
hand, and was gone, not waiting for such questions 
as he feared would be put to him. He had done his 
duty to humanity even though that humanity he had 
saved had been most unkind to him. 

His words had had the desired effect. He had es- 


124 


A Brand New Doctor, 


tablished a sympathy between himself and them, and 
naturally it appeared to them he spoke for every 
official, until they disbanded, and then they began to 
realize the thing as it was. The Major had been 
fleeced more than anybody, but not by outside con- 
ditions as they had inferred from his statC7nents. 
Why had he not been outspoken, and the scoundrels 
would have already received their dues ? But as the 
Major knew, when the first excitement was over, the 
people gradually became more normal, and violence 
was a thing of the past. If wrong had been done, 
it could not be righted by another wrong, therefore 
he had interceded in behalf of those so unworthy and 
had saved them. 


125 


A Brand New Doctor. 


CHAPTER XII 


J OHN DUDGEON had come to consult Andrew 
McLean concerning the case of little curly hair. 
Many physicians had examined her at home, and di- 
agnosed the case, cancer of the breast. Andrew in- 
formed him he must see the patient before he could 
pass on the case. Mrs. Dudgeon soon arrived, and was 
brought by the affectionate husband to Andrew’s of- 
fice. After close examination, he pronounced ^^No 
cancer!” John Dudgeon became very sanguine, but 
poor Mrs. Dudgeon could not know of a possible 
chance for the great men of lore at home to be mis- 
taken. 

^^Andy, or Doctor, what is the matter with her 5” 
^^Well, John, the second and third dorsal vertebrae 
are subluxated, or plainly, her spine is twisted be- 
tween the shoulders and the nerves that come out 
from the cord there have become sore, and that sore- 
ness follows the rib clear around to the front, and is 
worse at its end where this growth is. Soreness al- 
ways follows a nerve, and is generally always more 
noticed at a terminal.” 


126 


A Brand New Doctor, 


^^Can you cure her?’’ 

“Yes, I am most sure, but I won’t give her any 
medicine. John, I am certain of this case! Did Dr. 
Russell see your wife come into town ?” 

“No!” 

“Then, I want you to help me score a point on 
him. I wish your wife to go to them, and have them 
as regular doctors consult together, and diagnose your 
wife’s case, then call me in. And I want everybody 
to find out what they say, and what I say. Then 1 
want to treat her. Call in Dr. Smith first, and have 
him call in the other physicians before being operated 
on. Then tell them you have heard that I have a new 
method of treating disease, and that you will call me 
in before taking surgery, and you keep staying there 
at the hotel until your wife gets well. Do you un- 
derstand ?” 

“Of course, we’ll do anything for you, Andy — or 
Doctor, I mean. We’ll be off now.” 

The front of the Hotel de Perry was always over- 
flowing with men, who would come from their duties 
to smoke, talk, play and relax in general. All new- 
comers were inspected, and remarked upon accord- 
ingly. 

A vehicle drove up, and a very round man dis- 
mounted, and assisted into the building an emaciat- 


127 


A. Brand New Doctor, 


ed little curly haired woman. At first notice, when 
the man was the chief thing to be seen, the impres- 
sion of laughter was transmitted, but was at once 
supplanted by pity when the woman’s condition be- 
came evident. Every one inquired of his fellow, 
^^Wonder what’s the matter with her?” ^^Hope it’s 
not catching,” said one. 

A physician was called in; then more physicians, 
and it immediately became known about the cancer. 

^ AVhat would they have done with it ? Cut it out ? 
Sure ! Nothing else could be done.” 

To the surprise of the observers, Andrew McLean 
was called, and diagnosed the peculiar condition 
heretofore described. The Eegulars and laity were 
shocked that any such foolish quackery could be pro- 
mulgated and practiced in so progressive an age. 
Nevertheless, the patient began to improve, and in 
one short month was well. This was the most pecu- 
liar instance of the kind ever known. The matter 
was now the subject of much discussion. John 
Dudgeon talked everywhere about the wonderful doc- 
tor who had saved his wife’s life. 

^^How did he treat her, Mr. Dudgeon?” asked 
some one. 

^^Well, I don’t hardly know— Wringin’, twistin’ 
pullin’, stretchin’, maskin’, pressin’, and a lot of 


128 


A Brand New Doctor. 


other things I didn’t understand. One thing, he 
never give no medicine, nor put nothin’ on the ])lace. 
He just went after that disease with his liands. I 
guess it’s the surest remedy, specially if the Hevil has 
got anything to do with the disease, ’cause they ain’t 
no devil can live and a man grippin’ ther wind like 
that!” 

Andrew McLean’s reputation of curing a hopeless 
disease so mysteriously was rumored througlu.'nt tlie 
whole city, and he was stared at more ilian imj other 
person for miles. Nevertheless, he went about his 
business, experimenting with the treatment <*f dis- 
ease by manual manipulations for many days after 
John Dudgeon and wife had returned home, both 
well and happy. 

Summer time was coming, and with it a rage of 
flux, very malignant, mostly among children. ]\[auy 
deaths were being recorded. In fact, the mortality 
averaged more than flfty per cent. The child of a 
very prominent man in the city was stricken, and be- 
came very seriously ill. Every physician in town 
had been called in to see the child, and they pi’O- 
nounced it a hopeless case. At last, Andrew McLean 
was thought of and called in, although the attending 
physicians pronounced him a crank. Andrew j\rc- 
Lean had long previous to this known the uncertainty 


129 


A Brand New Doctor. 


of drug theuraparics, and by having assiduously ap- 
plied himself to the wonderful task before him, had 
conceived how treatment in different areas of the 
human machine would affect a part remote from the 
area where applied. Hence, it can be seen he was 
pretty well prepared to treat all diseases. Physical 
examination of the patient showed the abdomen cold, 
with the corresponding nerve supplying the abdomen 
very congested where it branched from the spine. 
He tried to move the congestion from the spine with 
his hands, and it responded to his treatment; at the 
same time the abdomen became normal, and the pa- 
tient immediately began to improve and was soon 
well. 

The Doctor’s reputation on this case brought him 
more cases, and he treated more than a hundred cases 
of flux without a single failure. This success, com- 
bined with the mystery of his manner of treating 
disease, won for him an enormous practice, and the 
hatred of his profession, which branded him a crank, 
imperialist, lunatic, and nothing short of Old Nick 
himself going about among people, deceiving them 
into thinking he had a magical touch,- thereby get- 
ting a little psychological effect, but otherwise doing 
harm. 

Many women and a few illiterate men regarded 


130 


A Brand New Doctor, 


him with superstitious awe, and the children became 
panic-stricken at his appearance, and ran as if 
greased lightning was after them. ISTevertheless, the 
masses of the chronic-diseased patients, having tried 
all other treatments, will try a new one. From just 
such a class he cured many, and established his prac- 
tice. His fame spread afar, and patients flocked to 
him from hundreds of miles. Many came to see him 
through the curiosity to see and talk with the man 
who could cure disease without medicine, that an- 
cient method known to contain the exclusive charms 
of healing in existence. 

Andrew MnLean was soon to realize that, though 
his new system was the greatest of all ages, it would 
also he ridiculed and perverted by the old-school doc- 
tors until those taking him seriously would not expose 
themselves to the criticism of public sentiment by 
patronizing what was termed by them a ^^fad,’’ ^^a 

fake,’’ ^^a faith cure,” ^^hypnotism,” ^^Divine heal- 
ing,” ‘^a rubbing,” ^^a massage,” ^^a bone-setting,” 
^^a what-you-please”. If any name or explanation 
was necessary, the family physician who had been 
retained for years, and knew everything, could tell 
you, and would freely cuss and discuss the new kind 
of doctor. In a patronizing and dignifled air, sug- 


181 


A Brand New Doctor, 


gesting a very learned man, he would gush forth 
thusly : 

^^Oh, the rubbing doctor? Yes, that rubbing is 
good for rheumatism and stiff joints. We have al- 
ways given massage for a few troubles of that kind, 
but for a crank to claim to treat all diseases simply 
by rubbing, is the height of folly. Such treatment 
would endanger the lives and limbs of many persons 
so treated. It does more harm than it does good, and 
ought not to be allowed to mislead the people.’^ 

And many thousands who have not the courage to 
act on their best judgment, not only refuse to concede 
the merits that are every day demonstrated by the 
new way, but like the midget dog that joins a pack of 
pursuing dogs,he lends his little yelp to the chorus of 
pessimistic prognostication, so intended to quagmire 
thewheeels of progress. Every promulgator of con- 
clusions obtained by diligent application of thought, 
no matter how correct, if unheard-of before, and 
placed in juxtaposition to a popular practice dating 
centuries back, must be branded as an impostor, and 
the Lord advised to intervene in behalf of the people 
by removing from their midst so dangerous and ob- 
noxious an agitator. But God seems to have amassed 
such considerable information bearing on all subjects 
that He considers himself equal to all occasions, and 


132 


A Brand New Doctor. 


quietly ignores thousands of such suggestions, that 
if heeded, would in a few days time produce mira- 
cles, anomalies, monstrosities, and a chaos in general, 
insomuch that intelligence would become permanent- 
ly disorganized through tedious endeavor to conceive 
of so great a departure from the normal condition of 
affairs. 

Andrew McLean had corresponded during all these 
times of trials with Annis Gray, and was only endea- 
voring to be considered worthy before he returned 
for her. Many times he had thought and wondered 
if it were foreordained he should be separated from 
his parents during his infancy, and he should never 
know who they were. He had written the facts of his 
life to Annis Gray, and proposed to discontinue prac- 
tice and hunt up his life’s record. She answered him, 
stating that she would accept his hand on its individ- 
ual merits, believing beyond doubt his father and 
mother were honorable beyond reproach, and their 
records could be looked after at his leisure. Not- 
withstanding, it had borne on the mind of the boy 
from infancy up. It was some thing Clyde Kussell 
could use against him, and no doubt had used it 
against him. Now, since he had succeeded in his 
practice, paid his debts and had enough to build a 
little home, it was time to visit Major Gray’s. He 


133 


A Brand New Doctor. 


had read in a daily of the St. Louis bank failure, 
among many others, and had written Annis, hut she 
only wrote what he already knew, that the hank had 
failed. She made no reference to the sad condition 
they were reduced to, but his eyes were to be opened 
soon, for the next day he was speeding toward her as 
fast as the cars could pull him. 


134 


A Brand Neiv Doctor, 


CHAPTER XIII 


HE day had been long and lonely ; the autumn 



A days had come, when the decidious foliage 
changes its aspect from a healthy color of life to a 
pale, sickly yellow, gold, purplish, getting more 
sparse as every shiver of wind showered to the earth 
millions of little rustlers. 

The shades of evening began to steal down across 
the river bottoms as the silhouettes of cliffs grew and 
grew, and gradually merged into the general dark- 
ness that obscured all shadows, into the one great 
shadow, that had for ages covered the face of the 
land and sea, until God said, ^Tet there be light 
The moon climbed up and gently dispelled the omi- 
nous condition s and partly converted them into 
cheerfulness. More shadows were thrown, but weird 
and uncertain. 

A young woman had stood in the evening, viewing 
the farewell regalia of the foliage, the declining of 
the sun, and she thought of the passing of her last 
family tie into poverty and old age, and then of a 
dearer, fonder hope that she had cherished for years 


135 


A Brand New Doctor, 


—that he who had won her heart and was miles dis- 
tant, would succeed to his own satisfaction and come 
back to her. How she longed for him, because she 
knew he was worthy, and she loved him. She had 
heard of his troubles, and had suspected the source 
of some of them. She knew that he would rise above 
all littlenesses that he had been subjected to and had 
to contend with. She wondered what he had done 
to cause the journals to speak of him so often and in 
such a strange manner. ^^Curious Healer!^’ What 
could be curious about any cure? Why should his 
cures be noticed and so remarked about? Would 
he never come ? 

Again her anxiety returned for her parent, left 
alone in the world to lean on her, and she to lean on 
him. They had passed several years since her mother 
had been laid to rest, and had grown to love each the 
other more year by year. To-day he had gone to the 
city. This was the day the bank would pay out its 
money to the depositors. Poor father had never ex- 
pected to give up his home at any time. He had in- 
herited it from her grandfather, and it dated back to 
generations in the family possession. He had been 
persuaded by some of the stockholders of the bank 
that it would make the credit of the bank so much 


136 



“Don’t you worry, Father 






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A Brand New Doctor, 


better, and they had all agreed to become individ- 
ually responsible, but the others had escaped. 

There might be trouble in the city today, and she 
became uneasy. He could not be much longer with 
her. She looked about her again. The sun was gone ; 
twilight was there. Synonymous with her standing 
there, peering into the half light, came to her the pan- 
oramic fields of her life. Mother was dead; father 
was old and poverty-stricken; the other — the sug- 
gestion left her groping with uncertainty. Would 
he be able to come to them ? She would not write 
him though, how circumstances had reversed for 
them. She was too proud; but she prayed for his 
return. She knew he would come, but they were soon 
to be subjected to the mercies of the world — one of 
them old and the other inexperienced. 

Late that night Major Gray returned home. His 
daughter met him, and he could not see the marks of 
anxiety in her face. She showed the same cheerful- 
ness she always possessed. She would not in any 
way add to his misery. It mattered not how she 
must cheer him. That was her duty and her desire. 
She arranged his meal, and sat down with him to a 
very late supper after he had rested awhile. The 
Major ate but little, and they retired into the sitting 
department. 


13Y 


A Brand New Doctor, 


^^Well dearie/’ began the Major, ^^You don’t seem 
a great deal troubled now, yet you knew some thing 
disastrous had happened to us today. Probably you 
don’t know how serious it is. We are paupers in the 
world.” He looked straight at her to see the effect 
his statement had made. 

^^Don’t you worry, father ! I can take care of us 
both, and we shall never want for anything. My 
musical accomplishments will be sufficient for us, 
and I don’t mind not having money. I don’t need it* 
AVe will have each other to care for, and God hasn’t 
forgotten us either. We must remember He is good 
to give us life and health, and the prosperity of our 
past. Everything we have called ours was His, only 
entrusted to us for our convenience, and if we have 
handled it judiciously and been made, better and 
made others better through having it, then the trust 
imposed on us has not been misplaced ; and if we re- 
ceive adversity in the spirit that things work 
together for good to those who love the Lord,” then 
indeed will our God be proud of us, and there shall 
come a time in my existence when His approval shall 
be more valuable than the money wealth of the 
world.” 

My dear, you are my mainstay! I never cared 
though for myself. I have thought of you. It has 


138 


A Brand New Doctor, 


wrung my heart to know you are penniless.’’ I was 
deceived. It was agreed among us to secure our bank 
collectively, and I was informed it had been done. 
I believed I was dealing with honest men, but was 
badly deceived. Some of the depositors are left as 
we are. Some poor women went there today to get 
the money that would keep them from the drudgeries 
of a servant’s life, but when I heard their cries of 
disappointment go up with those discordant anathe- 
mas, my heart went out to them, and I thought: 
^^Poor unsuspecting ones, caught by human wolves! 
We may be side by side in a machine shop when next 
we meet.” And only that the cause of the disaster 
was misrepresented to me also, probably I would not, 
or could not have interfered in behalf of those thieves 
and the community would have rid itself of some 
very bad men. But I am glad their blood is not on 
the hands of our citizens. This has been a day to 
tempt confidence in humanity, but a Model that 
stood before us for thirty-three years without sin, 
and freely forgave the filthiest sinner, is the redeem- 
ing feature of man, and one we would do well to im- 
itate. If we unfortunately see our neighbor’s mis- 
take, may we not forget we are also human, and have 
evil in our natures. With all my misfortunes, I am 
going to cast mj lot with your mother. Her life was 


139 


A Brand New Doctor. 


good, and her death was peaceful. Her trust was in 
Him, and it soothed her last days when her physical 
pains were almost unendurable. My dear, my days 
are not many. Let us live as we wish to die. Bring 
me the Book, and let’s forget all but Him. He is my 
Rock, my Fortress.” 

Annis Gray brought the book, and the old gentle- 
man read: ^^The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not 
want,” in a clear, firm voice,yet with a very tender 
infiection. The two kneeled down together and the 
father earnestly petitioned the great Monarch of the 
Universe for enduring grace, and no doubt that un- 
limited Euler looked to earth, and was delighted to 
observe the endearing spectacle of a young woman 
and her shadowy father extolling His name, and real- 
izing they had been severely tried. He smiled, and 
the sunshine of His countenance warmed the hearts 
of His children, whispering to them ^^Of such is the 
kingdom of heaven,” and guardian angels spread 
their protecting wings about them, and tears shed 
there were gathered up as so many jewels to adorn 
their celestial crowns. The two arose, and bade each 
other goodnight, and retired, trusting the Lord would 
do no harm to them. These two people had decided 
where to look for succor, whether that succor was ex- 
pected to be a reimbursement of temporal posses- 


140 


A Brand New Doctor, 


sions, or acquirements from the spiritual world, 
mattered not. At any rate, everything which happen- 
ed to them henceforth, good or bad, was accepted 
stoically as if they had divined and approved of the 
program long previous to its execution. 

The home was sold and the proceeds appropriated 
to the insolvent bank. Some personal property was 
sold, and a few hundred dollars given to the father 
and daughter. The two had moved about as if in 
dreamland. The sale had been brought to a close, 
the purchasers gone, and with them many of Annis’ 
dear possessions. The home was not a home any 
more. It was bare and uncheerful now. It had been 
endurable while so many were there, but now they 
began to realize they still had a part in the play of 
life, and must come upon the stage empty-handed, 
even having been forced to depart with many of their 
personal possessions, fraught with hallowed remem- 
brances of childhood^s happy days. The little sorrel 
filly that whinnied so often for Annis, and came to 
eat from her hand, was gone. The stables were emp- 
ty, the cribs were empty, the fields were naked, the 
house was barren of all but plain necessities. The 
desolation of the home so recently overfiowing, be- 
came extremely oppressive, and the two inmates mu- 
tually broke into tears. Momentarily their fortitude 


141 


A Brand New Doctor, 


left them, and they indulged in a human weakness 
of which even the Saviour himself was guilty. After 
the flood-gates had been opened, and the tears of sor- 
row and sadness had freely flowed, a tranquil calm 
fell on them, and through the grace of God they again 
resigned themselves to their desolate environments, 
nor did they give way to despair any more, though 
they moved from their ancestral inheritance to a 
humble cottage of three rooms in St. Louis, where 
Annis taught music in the day, and made garments 
of dress at night. The Major had become too old to 
he of any service in life; moreover, his sight had 
failed him miserably. He had run a little confec- 
tionery, and kept journals for sale as long as he 
could see, hut now he never went anywhere unless 
Annis went with him. 

He leaned on her as a child now, and she seemed 
to he perfectly happy serving him. In fact, her only 
thought was to smooth his way. Those who had 
known them all their lives never saw anything more 
pathetic than the struggle for a respectable existence 
of the old man and his fair daughter, who had never 
known what it meant tc battle for biead. Yet, never 
did they forsake the caste of the genteel. They had 
no companions. Those who would be flt associates 
they never invited into their home because it was too 


142 


A Brand New Doctor, 


humble, and those that would come were not desired. 

One night Annis went to the door to answer a sum- 
mons. She half opened it and there stood Clyde 
Russell. She was shocked at his sudden appearance, 
and involuntarily shrank back. He spoke first. ^AVill 
you ask me in or not He never knew how much 
she understood concerning that bank affair. He 
never thought she knew of his conspiracy against 
Andrew McLean, for he knew Andrew was not a 
tale-carrier. But Annis had conjectured much, and 
never cared to meet him any more. 

^^Ho, you will have to excuse us today. Our home 
is entirely too humble for your presence anyhow.’’ 

Annis, why do you treat. me thus? As for the 
home, any home where you are is good enough for 
me, but if you don’t like your home here, come with 
me to mine, where you can have everything you need. 
Hot a care shall you have. I have succeeded in life, 
and it is all for you. Let us share our prosperity 
together.” 

He had again had his say. He felt he. must speak 
even if standing in the door. When he had finished, 
she spoke firmly and positively: ^^You have for a 
long time known we have nothing in common between 
us. You are to me as one dead. I don’t believe you 
are worthy of an honorable woman’s affections if she 


143 


A Brand New Doctor. 


were disposed to bestow them upon you. I hope ner- 
er to see you again.’’ 

He stood there stupefied; then fiushed with cha- 
grin and anger. He would have retorted back, but 
the door was shut in his face. Never in his life had 
he been so insulted. But she should pay dearly for 
the insult. She should feel his hand more yet than 
she ever had. He knew where to strike home at her, 
and would conceal his hand from her no longer. It 
is surprising how the passions of man can be so sud- 
denly converted from love to hate, and how their 
pride cries out for some recompense when touched by 
some slight. He now knew his case was hopeless, but 
he would exult over his rival a brief period first. He 
knew just how to proceed against him. With crimi- 
nal intentions, he went his course, and was back with 
his practice before he had hardly been missed. 

A few more days went by after this little occur- 
rence, and the quiet of the little Gray cottage remain- 
ed monotonously the same, with the same depression 
Fate had settled down upon it, when Annis fell sick 
and their income was no more. The worry of their 
condition was a greater affliction than the disease. 
A week went by, and Annis was much emaciated by 
a fever known as Dengue, but began to recover. Two 
more weeks passed before she could attempt labor. 


144 


A Brand New Doctor, 


The doctor’s bill and the druggist’s bill were paid, 
and more personal belongings had to be sold before 
the grocer’s account was settled. The rent day came 
around and the rent could not be met. A little 
hump-backed man with contracted features was the 
toll-taker, and became very loud when his rent failed 
to turn up. Annis Gray could do nothing more for 
a long time, and their landlord became importunate. 
He had told them they must hunt other quarters if 
within a week arrangements had not been satisfactor- 
ily made. The days went by again, and still the girl 
was too feeble to resume her duties. The last day of 
grace had come, when the hateful little landlord 
would come again, and it was a sorrowful morning 
for the two feeble tenants. A cold, misty rain was 
falling. It was gloomy outside and gloomy inside; 
still the two people sat there, solitary companions in 
life,expecting the last blow to fall on them that would 
indeed force them to an alms-house. The mortifi- 
cation to their proud spirits was beyond endurance. 
In vain, did the old man read The Book; in vain did 
they pray. The cloud of extreme despc*ndence liad 
ejiveloped them, and they sat in despair, watching 
the different kinds of people go by. The day-laborer 
in rough dress, some bareheaded as if to defy nature ; 
vain young men with canes, chainless glasses, kid 


145 


A Brand New Doctor. 


gloves, stiff flat top hats with the latest cut of c«»ats, 
sfrueamish women who wore something odd . ist as 
people of wealth do, to show the public the liberties 
nioney can take, and be considered the proper thing 
just the same. These classes and many others ])assed. 
In fact, there was quite a deal of passing. The 
wagons were rattling by in the middle of the street, 
while the pedestrians chose the sidewalks. Down the 
street came, with the rattle and rumble of wagon 
travel, the echoing gallop of a single horse. As his 
hoofs beat a tattoo on the hard street, instinctively 
Annis Gray looked that way, and listened as the 
sound became more and more distinct. Then pres- 
ently, a very round, heavy, red-complected man, 
mounted on a large gray horse, very much afflicted 
with Kyphosis, bounced along the street and reined 
up in front of their building,and looked this way and 
that way, examining all the houses around. Annis, 
expecting to meet some one who had mistaken their 
destination, opened the door to be of some service 
in helping the uncertain one to familiarize himself 
with his surroundings. He relieved her of the for- 
malities of the occasion by asking: ^Ts this where 
Major Gray lives ^^Yes, sir.’’ ^Ts this Miss 
Annis ?” ^^Yes, sir.” ^Then, I have some word for 


146 


A Brand New Doctor, 


you! I will go to the stable and put my horse up 
first/^ and away he rocked on the now pacing gray. 

^^What a queer fellow, and I wonder what he can 
have for me 1 He might have left his word instead 
of bringing itV’ thought Annis. She did not have 
long to think about his peculiar appearance, for he 
had returned and came in. She asked him to be 
seated, and walked a little nearer her father. 

^^Is this Major Gray? Well, I am John Dudgeon. 
I have wanted to see you a long time — and your 
daughter too!’’ 

^^Yes; all right. We are at your service, Mr. 
Dudgeon. Have a seat. I hope you have heard 
nothing at all mysterious in connection with our 
names that causes people to become curious to see 
us!” 

^^Ho; Dr. McLean talked to me lots about you, 
and he said you was not a mystery at all. He saya 
you are a honest man. He says you was robbed. 
He didn’t know you was so poor, till we got here 
and we drove out to your old home, and he was ter- 
ribly put out by you all not still living there. We 
came on down to St. Louis and as soon as he located 
your house, he told me to come tearin’ around here 
quick and tell you all he was cornin’ this evening!” 

The two listeners had become fascinated with what 


A Brand New Doctor, 


they now heard. Annis was almost ov^ercome with 
joy, while the old gentleman became more interested 
in Mr. Dudgeon. 

^^You say you were sent by Dr. McLean? Do 
you know him well 

^^Do I know myself ? IVe been watchin’ out after 
him for years when he never had a gingercake. 
Now, he can buy me a hundred times. And he 
knows somethin’ too. It was him that saved my 
little wife’s life. I’d say I do know him ! He shore 
cares for you all too, for he had tears in his eyes 
when he come back and told me to come around here 
and tell you he was cornin’ !” 

The girl arose, and would have gone out to hide 
an emotion that shook her frail form, but at that 
moment a sneering little humpbacked man entered, 
and taking a retrospection of the few remaining 
articles of furniture, squinted at the obese John 
Dudgeon. 

^^Ho, friend Gray! What have we here? Is my 
house rented for the quartering of nobles ? Indeed, 
if my house is to be so highly honored, I protest 
that I should be consulted as to which premise is 
the most fit to receive his Royal Highness.” This 
was spoken as a piece of sarcastic irony, and was so 
accepted by the Major and Annis. John Dudgeon’s 


148 


A Brand New Doctor, 


enlightenment of figures of any kind was rather 
limited, but the little hump-back was highly dis- 
pleasing to him, considering his epithets were just 
pitched at him, more than respectfully addressed to 
him. He arose, and towering above the dwarf, vol- 
leyed at him: 

^^You sniveling old wizard ! I wonder where you 
fell from! If you wus bigger, I’d hook you and 
my old sway I rode up here, together, and a hustling 
pair I’d have! What sway would be short on in 
having his back bent down in the middle, you would 
make up with your hump ! I bet your like aint to 
be found more than once ; what you say ? 

“I say you are an idiot, and get out of this house 
or be put out, whichever is to your liking!” 

^^To my liking, eh!” Dudgeon’s two big hands 
fell on the little man and raised him straight up 
into the air, where he was wiggled about. ^^What 
you say now, Mr. Hunch ? All them purty things 
you wuz calling me when you first come in ?” Dud- 
geon dropped him to the fioor, and he was consider- 
ably shaken up. ^^If you was a little bigger I’d 
smack you clean out that door, and show ’bout havin’ 
somebody put out!” 

Annis now interfered. ^^Mr. Dudgeon, please let 
us have quiet here. I have not been well for a long 


149 


A Brand New Doctor, 


time, and cannot stand the excitement. Mr. Marg 
has come to collect his rent, and we are simply not 
able to meet it to-day. I have not been able to work 
for several weeks, Mr. Marg, as yon know, but please 
give us a little longer and you shall not lose a cent. 
I shall pay you every cent as soon as I am able to 
work.^^ 

The man, Marg, had come to order them away, and 
was now thoroughly wrought up since the enormous 
Dudgeon had shown him his physical insignificance. 

am bound to collect my rent! I have put it 
off before— I can’t do that indefinitely! You may 
find someone that can afford to accommodate you 
that far. I shall ask you to seek them. Please do 
not remain here longer!” 

^^Hold there, Marget! I see you are jest what you 
look like— nobody. Don’t you talk now unless you 
are talked to ; then answer up, or by J upiter, bang ! 
and nobody can see your head, less they look right 
down where your feet are now!” and John Dudgeon 
menaced the man Marg, so powerfully that he felt 
like he was in the hands of a terrible devil-fish that 
could squeeze the life out of him. 

^^How much rent do they owe you? Answer!” 

^Ten dollars !” 

that it, Miss Annis?” 

150 


A Brand New Doctor, 


^^Then please look in that grip. I believe there 
is something in there for you!’^ Annis looked, and 
took ont some ten, twenty and five- dollar bills, 
amounting to more than a hundred dollars. She was 
astonished. ^^Yes, they are yours! Give him ten. 
Now go, and don’t come back here! If you don’t do 
just right, and we ever meet again. I’ll wring your 
neck!” 

The landlord was gone. ^^Where did this money 
come from? And why was it sent to us, Mr. Gud- 
geon?” asked Annis. 

^^You see it was like this. We got here and found 
out a good deal the Doctor didn’t know, and he 
seemed all tore up like, and said he was afraid you 
all wus right in need of something, and told me to 
bring them bills along, and tell you to look for him 
right after dinner ! You ought to see the Doctor up 
there at home. People come to see him from way 
off! He knows somethin’ new about curing sick 
folks— I don’t know what it is, but he cures them 
after the other doctors fail. The doctors don’t none 
of them like him, and that Clyde Eussell and two 
other fellows would have put him out of business 
if a fellow hadn’t come along and got two of them 
tangled up in his coat tail until after the fight was 


151 


A Brand New Doctor. 


over.’^ John Dudgeon told them everything he knew 
about Andrew! McLean. His listeners gave him 
good attention, for the pall of despair was now gone. 
The rough, uncultured person of John Dudgeon had 
lightened their load. He had given just such relief 
to them as was most needed. John Dudgeon was 
surely a diamond in the rough. He took dinner with 
the Grays, and acquitted himself no less distinctively 
as a packer of provision in general, than the prepon- 
derating distension of his abdominal cavity would 
indicate. 

In turning out the samples of mankind, the 
Creator has ever labeled each little piece so accurately 
that a close student of character has no occasion of 
misinterpreting any particular quality possessed. 
The general form of the subject, the phrenology, 
palmistry, astronomy, the law of heredity and en- 
vironment, gesture and speech proclaim to the observ- 
ant in stronger terms than any language, the good 
and bad propensities of their fellow-kind. The 
indexing of the habits, tastes, appetites and other 
virtues through the mechanism of the human anat- 
omy is rather unfortunate and many times really 
embarrassing to a subject possessing idiosjmcrasies 
so prominent that even the ignorant read as intelligi- 
bly as they would a placard board at the crossing of 


152 


A Brand New Doctor. 


roads. A happy union of the sanguine and lymphatic 
temperaments, the lymphatic exceeding, relieved 
John Dudgeon from an extremely morosj spirit, for 
many good dinners with hi^ friends failed to mate- 
rialize, since hardly any one that had ever looked 
him over but had rather heir an annuity than pro- 
vision him twelve months. The most damaging 
evidence against him was that he never failed to 
equal expectations, many times gormandizing so 
prodigiously, as to carry the host from the ludicrous 
to the pathetic, first wondering in what manner the 
guest was possessed to effect so rapid a consumption 
of produce, and a little later advising with himself the 
repletion of his larder, the perseverance of the guest 
or the advisability of calling a physician and possibly 
the coroner. 

If the host’s peace of mind was so extremely dis- 
turbed by the unusual performance of the day, that 
his uneven sleep brought him visions of his litt'^e 
family circle crowding around him in hunger, v/hile 
a genial-tempered individual, symmetrical in form, 
and of a fiorid complexion, betook himself assidu- 
ously to the different articles of food, one at a time, 
until the last vestige was entirely demolished, and 
the vampire gloated for more, John Dudgeon suf- 
fered no regrets, either physical or mental, and after 


153 


A Brand New Doctor. 


delivering for stomachic operations one of Ins choice 
meals, would sit and complacently envelop himself 
in great clouds of smoke, and when night came, 
sleep away every minute of it without a single break, 
unless such a break be the noisome obstructions of 
the nasal passages, so heart-rending to any other 
occupant of the room. 

In justice to Major Gray, it must be said John 
Dudgeon found him uncommonly amiable, even when 
he had eaten beyond all bounds of etiquette, he was 
heartily encouraged not to desist. 

Later, Andrew McLean arrived, and it is needless 
to say he and Annis Gray were happy to meet again, 
after so long a separation. The fact that rendered 
them all happy was, a new home was to be estab- 
lished, and two lives merged into one channel for 
the common good of each. The Major was to be 
carried along as an elixir, and John Dudgeon to be 
served around the premises for a two-fold purpose, 
one to secure a livelihood for the little curly-hair, 
and the other purely as ornamentation to the prop- 
erty so fortunate to secure his haunts. 

The happy, happy days drew to a close, and the 
lovers had arranged the wedding day. Andrew Mc- 
Lean was to return for those he loved, and already 
called his own. They parted at the door, and at the 


154 


A Brand New Doctor. 


came time John Dudgeon came rocking by on the 
Kyphosed gray. He saluted, and they heartily re- 
turned the attention. 

^^That is the most peculiar man I ever met! 
Where did you get acquainted with such a man?’’ 
asked Annis. 

^^Very near here! He helped me tighten a plow- 
line around the reverend Blair once, and has been 
with me through much of my adversity. In fact, he 
has helped me through much of it!” 

would say,” broke in the Major, ^^that while he 
is a little rough, that he possesses some rare traits 
traits that make an everlasting impression. Truth 
is, Andrew, he astonishes, amuses, elicits admiration 
and interests in a hundred ways, thereby giving you 
a variety of entertainment worth comic opera money 
any time!” 

^^Annis, I left on the piano, a little present for 
you, and also for Major Gray. I must catch my 
train. Good-bye!” 

^^Good-bye, Andrew!” spoke the Major, but Annis 
could not speak. She gave her hand, and tears of 
gratefulness, of love and sadness gathered together 
and stifled her sight. He took the little white hand 
and raised it to his lips, and was gone, and with 
him her soul. 


155 


A Brand New Doctor. 


When Andrew McLean got to the depot and found 
his train ready to leave by five minutes ; he also saw 
John Dudgeon a little excited, and seeming on pins; 
he appeared to be working himself about, entirely 
too fast for ordinary purposes. 

^AVhat are you doing, John?’’ The question 
brought him to terra firma, again, and leaning to- 
ward Andrew, he whispered : ‘Won see that scamp I 
I want to touch him up one before I go ! Don’t you 
know him ?” 

^^ISTo, I don’t care anything about him. I am not 
running about looking for trouble. I am trying to 
keep out of it, which you had better be doing!” 

‘Wou see, I can’t quite forget him so easy as you 
can! He’s the one that pulled half my clothes off, 
one day, and then clouted me in the nose. That was 
the day we rode the cars the first time together !” 

The bell began to ring, and the conductor called: 
^^All aboard!” and the passengers were loading on. 
Andrew McLean walked inside and selected a seat by 
a window on the side next to the platform. He 
raised the window, and saw a commotion down 
there. John Dudgeon seemed to be the nucleus. H© 
was hard pressing a railroad official, who was trying 
to establish peace through the means of a retreat, 
which he was affecting with as much haste as th© 


156 


A Brand New Doctor. 


crowded platform would permit. Nevertheless, he 
was flanked by his pursuer. In this dangerous posi- 
tion, he felt himself in a vise, while his nose experi- 
enced a severe wring, and he was left alone. The 
train was gone and the assailant with it. 

Two weeks after Andrew had returned from St. 
Louis, his practice had become larger than ever. 
Some very prominent people from the States had 
taken his treatment with satisfactory results. His 
name was coupled with mystery, but it was plain to 
all that he had cured the sick. So clear was it to the 
regular physicians that a State Committee was ap- 
pointed to prosecute the impostor, who was threaten- 
ing to undermine the whole profession. Dr. Clyde 
Kussell, one of the most influential members of the 
board, was most influential in arranging the prosecu- 
tion. The law of the State prohibited the practice of 
quacks, fakes or pretenders of any other kind, except 
those graduated from the regular school of medicina 
The penalty was a flne and imprisonment that could 
not be paid off. Andrew McLean was served by war' 
rant accusing him of collecting fees through fraud. 
Th examining trial was had, and the local judge who 
was afraid not to heed the physicians all over his dis- 
trict, held Andrew over to the higher court. He was 
not allowed bail, but was placed in prison to await 


157 


A Brand New Doctor, 


action against him, the prejudiced old judge consid- 
ering him a menace to the general welfare. This 
was indeed a bitter trial to Andrew McLean, but his 
friends came to his rescue with gifts and encourage^ 
ment, and the unprincipled judicial began to be un- 
certain whether he had taken the popular side or not, 
but he had taken his stand and must not now ac- 
knowledge any regTet, thereby discouraging the 
medical adherents that would assist him to office 
again. The wedding day dawned, and dawned on a 
very sad groom. Instead of experiencing the happiest 
day of his life, he was dejectedly whiling away his 
precious hours in prison. He had never 
thought of a cell only as a disgrace to any in- 
mate, but today he stood there as the result of doing 
only good to suffering humanity. His spirit rebelled 
at the indignity, and he resolved the more to be a dish 
quieting factor to the fraternity of medicine. Ho 
organization should dictate to the public the manner 
of treatment it should accept for disease. This was 
carrying the trust policy beyond the limits yet attain- 
ed. Oil magnates of the Standard Company fought 
their competitors with money, and though that trust 
stood for the most completely organized and corrupt 
of all trusts, yet it had never served injunctions and 
imprisoned competitors. In the meantime, while eno- 


168 


A Brand New Doctor, 


mies were planning to permanently prohibit the es- 
tablishment of a system of therapeutics entirely dif- 
ferent from their own, Andrew McLean’s friends 
were not idle, and when the day of the trial came, 
they were there with the best legal talent from four 
different States. 


A Brand New Doctor, 


CHAPTER XIV 


W HEN Annis Gray opened the little box on the 
piano, left there by Andrew McLean, she 
found a beautiful pearl necklace, and a diamond ring 
to go with the plain band ring that Andrew had put 
on her hand. Another package marked ^Alajor 
Gray’^ enclosed a nice pipe, some choice tobacco, and 
five twenty-dollar gold pieces. 

^^Well,’’ he exclaimed, ^ ^nobody can tell where God 
chooses his men of affairs; nor what kind of ap- 
prenticeship he compels them to serve before He con- 
siders them ripe enough to bear fruit! That boy^s 
early life was spent amid the most unpleasant envir- 
onments, and to have looked at the little ragged farm^ 
er of ^Tuddin’’ Blair’s I would never have supposed 
myself to receive gifts from him that would sustain 
life, and without them I don’t know what would 
have become of us.” 

^^You must remember the Lord is sustaining us, 
and many peculiar things may happen, we may never 
know how.” 

Early one morning three days later, Annis called 
160 



“Two souls were full of tenderness for each other/’ 



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A Brand New Doctor. 


to the Major: ^Tather, is that you?’’ A slight noise 
had roused her from slumber. As soon as she called 
her father, a general clatter and bang resulted as a 
night prowler rushed out through the half open door. 
Annis sprang out of bed and struck a light. Her 
father also came on the scene, but the rogue was 
gone. Annis looked for her necklace and a few little 
valuables she had hid away. They were all there, but 
the twenty-dollar gold pieces were gone, together with 
all the other change that they had. It was a terrible 
blow, and the girl cried very bitterly from grief. The 
money was to have been used for wedding prepara- 
tions, and Andrew McLean knew it would be used so. 
Now, she couldn’t work and have a sufficient amount 
to have a decent affair. No wonder the poor girl 
wept. She would not notify Andrew McLean of their 
misfortune, but would try to some way manage with- 
out his assistance. She knew he would come to their 
relief immediately, but her pride would not permit 
her to write him. A few days more , and she receiv- 
ed the following telegram: 

, Kansas, Dec. 22, 18 — 

Miss Annis Gray :— 

^^Dr. McLean is held here for trial Dec. 24th. 
Impossible to come to St. Louis. Wishes you present 
at trial.” ^Tingree.” 


161 


A Brand New Doctor. 


The telegram was gripped as if in a vise. The girl 
could not get the full meaning, only that he (Andrew 
McLean) was to be tried for something, and what 
could it be ? What could he be guilty of having done 
wrong ? She had great confidence in him, and there 
must be some mistake, but she must be there by all 
means, but how was she to go there ? The money she 
had would carry her nearly there, but not there. What 
would she do ? She must at any rate, go ! She went to 
her father and told him of the telegram she had re- 
ceived. The old gentleman was very much affected. 

am very sorry. It is quite a disappointment. 
I know the boy has not done anything bad ; he is the 
victim of some error. If my estates were still mine, T 
v/ould go to him at once and stand by him, but I am 
only a wretchedly poor old man, nearlv blind. It is 
with you to do whatever you think proper.’’ 

Annis gathered a few things together, and placing 
them in a small grip, went to the ticket office, and in- 
quired the distance to , Kansas. She found 

she had not enough money to buy the ticket, but she 
bought one to within six miles of her destination, and 
determined to go, no matter if she were compelled to 
walk. The cars carried her along through wind and 
falling snow, and before she realized it she had reash- 
ed her station, and got off in the face of driving snow- 


162 


A Brand New Doctor, 


flakes. It was desperate to think of walking six miles 
on that winter day, but the traveler was desperate. 

She must get to , Kansas, by night, and it was 

already late. Drawing her wraps around her, she lost 
no time on her journey. The first three miles were 
made without showing fatigue, but another mile and 
she was tired. Still, she struggled on in the wind and 
snow for another half mile. The vitality she possessed 
having never been fully restored since her recent ill- 
ness, now deserted her entirely, and her slender form 
sank trembling into a snow bank, and the gusty wind 
drifted more snow all about her and over her, and the 
brave and true little soul was left to the mercy of God 
and the drifting snow. 


163 


A Brand New Doctor. 


CHAPTER XV 


NDREW McLEAN’S prison cell was so gor- 



Ta geously decorated with presents brought by his 
friends, and his meals were so delicious, lhat a degree 
of comfort was there, even in a cell. The day the 
telegram was sent Annis Gray by his friend Pingree, 
was a day of unrest for Andrew McLean. He sent 
for John Dudgeon, and disclosed his uneasy feeling. 

‘Mohn, did the telegram go?’’ 

^A^es.” 

^^Did Miss Gray leave on the morning 
train ? Somehow, I feel like she did. 
That train will be in presently. I will get you to 
go and meet the train and see if she comes. If she does 
not get here, telegraph and see if she started. Some- 
thing may possibly have happened.” 

John Dudgeon telegraphed to the Union Depot at 
St. Louis, and luckily a young man was employed 
there who knew Annis Gray well, and saw her board 
the morning train. He was told she bought a ticket 
for a station six moles down the road. He hurried 
back and told Andrew McLean that Miss Gray’s tick- 


164 


A Brand New Doctor, 


et was to Dant, six miles down the road. Confusion 
and anxiety immediately possessed him. 

^^John, I don’t know what to think, but you must 
telegraph and see if a strange young woman got off 
there and what became of her.” 

In a short time John Dudgeon returned with the 
news that a strange young woman had got oif at Dant, 
and walked on up the railroad track. 

‘^Great God ! In this snow ? What is the cause of 
this? Why did she get off there? Go at once, John. 
How long do you thinly it has been since she got off 
there ?” 

^^About an hour, I suppose.” 

‘^An hour in this snow ! Go quick, right down that 
track, and great Lord, look close ! She must be help- 
ed!” He fell on his knees, and John Dudgeon hur- 
ried off down the track. The snow was falling faster, 
and the wind was piling it in places. It was coming 
right in his face and he could not see well. Still he 
would not miss a traveler, unless, and even John Dud- 
geon strong as he was, shivered to think of a terrible 
fate: she might have perished from the cold. The 
thought stimulated him, and he pressed on faster. 
Suddenly his feet stumbled, and the snow shook from 
the cold form of Annis Gray. John Dudgeon quickly 
snatched her from the drift, and pressed a bottle of 


165 


A Brand New Doctor, 


stimulants to her lips. He rubbed the body good and 
bent all the joints. There was life there. He threw a 
heavy cloak around her and tied it together, and car- 
ried her in his arms to the nearest house, where she 
was warmed and fully resuscitated. Here he would 
have left her, but she insisted on being carried on to 
her journey ^s end. The farmer hitched to his vehicle 
and drove them in. They dismounted at the i^cll. 
and getting permission from the jailer, they went in. 
The two lovers fell into each others embrace, and two 
souls were full of tenderness for each other, which 
was made perfect when explanations were had from 
each side. 

Two Governors and a United States Senator were 
admitted a little later, and informed Annis that ar- 
rangements had been made to take care of her. 

The day of the twenty-fourth was a day of interest 
to Kansas. Some curiosity seekers were there to see 
what would be done with ^Hhe quack,’’ while the pris- 
oner had many friends who came there to render him 
all the assistance in their power. Everybody vras 
thinking of the celebrated trial. The hour arrived, 
and the court was called to order, and the case taken 
up. The prisoner had sitting near him the pale little 
girl who had exerted every nerve to get to that trial. 
The plaintiff led off with Dr. Clyde Russell, Dr. 


166 


A Brand New Doctor, 


Tate, Dr. Gibbon and Dr. Dice, to state that the de- 
fendant was getting money under false pretenses, 
since it was impossible to cure a patient through the 
use of his methods. They also stated the treatment 
was dangerous to the patient; that he had no new 
methods, and that his ignorance had caused him to 
quit the practice of medicine. 

Counsel for the defense asked if they ever saw Dr. 
McLean give a treatment. The answer was 
^^Do you understand his treatment?’’ ‘‘Yes. From 
what his patients tell me, he simply rubs, and we as 
a profession have massaged our patients for several 
centuries.” 

“Then you deny that Dr. McLean has discovered 
any new therapeutical things ?” 

“Yes!” 

“You state he was ignorant, and failed in the 
practice of medicine. I believe Anatomy and Phys- 
iology are more important branches than any taught 
in the schools of medicine, are they not?” 

“Yes. All other branches are based on those two.” 

“Then isn’t it also a fact that Physiology teaches 
a nerve will respond to mechanical stimulation as it 
will to chemical and electrical ?” 

“I believe that is true.” 

“Is a manipulation by hand, mechanical?” 


167 


.1 Brand New Doclcr, 


suppose so.’^ 

“Then you are excused.’’ 

For the defense, Foraker, Altgeld, Tanner, and 
other prominent citizens testified that they had seen 
some wonderfully good results come from the treat- 
ment after the ^‘old school” physicians had failed. 
Dr. Russell was called back on the stand by the de- 
fense. 

^^We wish to ask you if you deny that this treat- 
ment can affect a nerve, insomuch that it would in- 
duce or check a cough, hiccough, peristalsis, heart 
beats, nausea, dilate the pupil of an eye, relieve con- 
gestion or correct anatomical displacements ?” 
deny the whole !” 

‘Tf the court will permit,” said the counsel for the 
defense, ^^we will demonstrate a few points to this 
court, and we wish to have the prosecuting physicians 
present.” 

The physicians were brought in; also John Dud- 
geon as a subject. 

^^Now, your Honor, if the prosecution as well as 
the Court, will give us careful attention, we will 
demonstrate a few principles hitherto unknown to 
the ^old school’ doctor. John Dudgeon here amused 
the court by a continual unwrapping until a great 
pile of papers were heaped around him, but instead 


168 


A Brand New Doctor, 


of finding it something valuable, whicli the close 
unwrapping would denote, he exhibited a cuspidor, 
and spitting in it as a test of its value, set it down 
near himself. The judge rapped for order, and ad- 
dressed the rubicund professor of comedy : ^My dear 
sir, to say that I am astonished that a man of ordi- 
nary intelligence would trouble himself to so securely 
wrap a common spittoon, and with such cool audac- 
ity expose so foolish a whim, is putting my impres- 
sion mildly.’’ 

“My dear judge, we will yet astonish you more! 
We ain’t played our first card yit, yer honor. All 
we ask is a square deal.” 

“Please save your remarks,” answered the judge, 
“Dr. McLean will please proceed.” 

Andrew stepped forward. * “Now, gentlemen of 
the jury, the prosecution tells you it is impossible to 
induce cough.” Here he touched the recurrent 
laryngeal nerve, and Dudgeon went into a violent 
spasm of coughs. “To prove the effect on the special 
senses through the Superior Cervical Ganglia, I here 
inhibit the Superior Cervical Ganglia, thereby dilat- 
ing the pupils of the eyes. The jurors can each see 
the result.” Each juror looked into the subject’s 
eyes, while Dr. McLean induced dilation of the pu- 
pils. As the physicians peeped through his windows, 


169 


A Brand New Doctor, 


John Dudgeon menacingly winked and grimaced at 
what he considered the stupid set. 

your Honor please, we object to the subject 
exclaimed one of the physicians in question. 
consider this simply a grand fraud exhibited before 
the Court. We know the subject to have been pre- 
viously very much associated with the accused, and 
the cough could have been purely asumed. While 
we believe from the wonderful control the subject has 
over his different members, and from having a know- 
ledge of some of his past feats which we pronounce 
extraordinary, we are also confident from certain fa- 
cial contortions he has just executed in our presence 
that he may even be the master of the fake dilation 
of the eye pupils, therefore we object to the whole 
process of procuring evidence as incompetent.’^ 

^‘Dr. McLean will proceed if he has further evi- 
dence of his theory,” announced the judge. 

^^Then if the Court allows this proceeding, we ob- 
ject to the subject,” declared the prosecution. 

^^Then gentlemen, pick your subject!” demanded 
counsel for the defense. The most aggressive of the 
prosecuting physicians stepped boldly forward. 

‘T^et us see what your hypnotism is good for 
against me 1 I have been tried before though, I warn 
you.” 


170 


A Brand New Doctor, 


don’t care to use hypnotism on you ; I wish to 
demonstrate the power of manual treatment of the 
human anatomy. I shall now induce nausea.” 

The subject looked up with a quick little start of 
alarm, but doubting any virtue in the announcement, 
again settled back confident. A slight treatment in 
the second dorsal vertebral region suddenly sickened 
him, and he struggled forth for John Dudgeon’s cus- 
pidor, but that worthy, seeing the present embarass- 
ment impending, had already possessed the desired 
vessel, and referred the chagrined subject to the nu- 
merous journals he had brought. 

‘^You see arrangements have been made for this 
very affair. I reckon you can now see the point in 
bringing this here cussadoor along, can’t you judge ?” 

The nauseated physician vomited profusely, while 
the crowded court-room roarer with laughter. Even 
Annis Gray smiled at the turn affairs had taken, 
while John Dudgeon convulsed. 

^^Judge, fine him for being so general with that 
hose. I think he’s just showin’ off anyhow.” 

warn you again to keep your remarks to your- 
self. As to the termination of these proceedings, I 
am uncommonly shocked, and I order all such evi- 
dence of this kind discontinued,” spoke the judge. 


171 


A Brand. Neio Doctor, 


will rest the case here/’ your Honor!” an- 
nounced counsel for the defense. 

The eccentric little judge read the instructions to 
the jury as follows: 

^^Gentlemen of the Jury: — 

^^The case of ^The Regular School of Medicine’ 
plaintiff, against Dr. Andrew McLean, defendant, 
accusing him of empiricism is undoubtedly one of 
much interest, and of much moment to the public, as 
the public must he protected against fakes, frauds, 
and pretenders who fleece the public for their o^\ti 
nefarious and pecuniary benefits, giving nothing for 
something, and at the same time subjecting their pa- 
tients to such racks of torture as to endanger their 
lives and limbs, through the hitherto unheard-of and 
peculiar method of treatment, as this defendant is 
accused of having originated and practiced on those 
seeking the fountain of health. Therefore, the 
Court instructs the jury that if, in their opinion, 
the evidence introduced in this case proves that the 
defendant, Andrew McLean, is practicing or has 
practiced, regularly or even a single time, some mys- 
terious method of therapeutics on an innocent public, 
said treatment being devoid of any curative proper- 
ties, and moreover fraught with the serious compli- 
cation of breaking limbs, or endangering the lives of 


172 


A Brand New Doctor, 


the unsuspecting patients, that the Court must find 
the defendant guilty. Moreover, if from the evi- 
dence introduced, they consider the experiment per- 
formed here before this Court made possible only 
through Black Art, Mesmerism, Hypnotism or Clair- 
voyancy in any form on the part of the operator, or 
through the ability of the subject, John Dudgeon, 
(whom I recognize as one of the living anamolies) to 
conform the special senses into any particular func- 
tions he deems judicious, the jury is thereby instruct- 
ed to eliminate the experiments from the case. But 
if on the contrary, the jury believes from the evi- 
dence that the defendant was practicing any branch 
of treatment that was meritorious, and the plaintiff 
having failed to establish the fact that deleterious re- 
sults have come from his treatment, then the verdict 
of ‘Hot guilty^ should be rendered. The penalty at- 
tached to a verdict of guilty in this case shall be a 
fine of one thousand dollars minimum, and ten days 
in prison, or five thousand dollars and six months in 
prison the maximum, according to your own dis- 
cretion. The case is with you.’^ 

The jury filed out to settle the affair. They re- 
turned within ten minutes with a verdict of “Hot 
Guilty!’^ They were cheered by the assembly. 


173 


A Brand New Doctor. 


The two young people who had been so unmitigat- 
ingly tested by adverse circumstances, walked out 
arm in arm into a world that would henceforth smile 
on their efforts. The counsel for defense insisted 
so strongly that suit was brought for damages, and 
five thousand dollars wrested from the prosecuting 
staff of physicians. This amount was presented to 
Major Gray, and his old heart was warmed towards 
the great little boy, as he had remembered Andrew 
who had now become famous nationally as a great 
healer of all kinds of chronic diseases that had prov- 
en unresponsive to all other treatments. 

When the second wedding day for Andrew Mc- 
Lean and Annis Gray had dawned, there were glad 
hearts everywhere. Mr. Wilhelm’s family would be 
there, some distinguished patients, and no less dis- 
tinguished persons than Mr. and Mrs. J. Dudgeon, 
would, of course, be present. When Mr. Wilhelm’s 
family arrived, there was with them a large broad- 
shouldered man fifty years of age, followed by a little 
woman four years his junior, still possessing marks 
of beauty. Carl Wilhelm led them up to Andre 

^^Dr. Taylor Eutherford, I present you as a wed- 
ding gift your long-lost father and mother— Mr. and 
Mrs. Abram Eutherford. There is no mistake as 


174 


A Brand New Doctor, 


to the identity of either parents or child. I have suffi- 
cient proofs for both.’’ 

The positive manner in which this was said admit- 
ted of no doubt, and a happy re-union took place 
there. Afterwards the real family of Moore was ex- 
humed as the ancestral tree. The whole family story 
was published among those who had been so rash as 
to accuse Dr. McLean of having sprung from ob- 
scurity. ^^Puddin” Blair served four years in 
prison for kidnapping. 

Adolphus Russell failed in business and lived on 
the charity of his son. Dr. Russell never again took 
the trouble to annoy Andrew McLean. To be sure 
that such an annoyance would not again be given his 
great friend, John Dudgeon meeting him one day, 
addressed him thus: ^Must a minute. I hope it will 
never be necessary for me to speak to you again. I 
just want to say, try to be somebody, and maybe you 
can yet. Mr. Wilhelm and me has found out you 
was at the bottom of all that trouble Dr. McLean had 
when he first come here, and we found out you hired 
a scoundrel to steal that money from Major Gray’s, 
but we won’t tell Dr. McLean, because we believe he 
would kill you, and we don’t want him to be troubled 
with no such fellers as you. But I am authorized to 
say, we hold it against you for good conduct from 


175 


A Brand New Doctor, 


you, and the first time you break over I am going to 
ask Dr. McLean to let me wear your hide off Then 
if you do any more, V\l tell him what you’ve done 
all along, and that will be the end of you !” 

The Doctor thought this was valuable information, 
and acting thereon, stayed on his side ever after. 

Many schools of the new treatment have since 
sprung up, and three children, two boys and one girl, 
are teaching the principles their father launched 
forth for the relief of the suffering. All but five or six 
States have regulated the practice and put it on a 
professional basis with the ^^old school” system, and 
it is patronized by millions of the afflicted. The 
The originator still lives at a ripe age, and prides 
to see the infant science he fathered become one ofthe 
most powerfnl of all therapeutical agents. His es- 
tate has long ago gTown into the value of a million 
dollars. It now never seems that during one period 
of their lives that Providence had passed them 
through a very trying ordeal. 

FIHIS. 


176 



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